As details of Jeremy Corbyn’s cabinet reshuffle emerged in the early hours, in what is being described as Night of the Blunt Knives by sketch writers, MPs reacted to his decisions on Twitter.
On Wednesday morning, Jonathan Reynolds tweeted that he had resigned from his position as shadow rail minister:
I have this morning resigned from the Labour frontbench - https://t.co/Sdvrho3HED
— Jonathan Reynolds MP (@jreynoldsMP) January 6, 2016
And he was closely followed by shadow armed forces minister Kevan Jones and shadow foreign minister Stephen Doughty.
Some Labour MPs were furious Pat McFadden was sacked by the Labour leader as shadow Europe minister and replaced by Pat Glass, who chairs Labour’s pro-EU group.
McFadden said: “Tonight Mr Corbyn has told me he does not want me to continue to serve on his frontbench, in particular because of questions I asked about terrorism and national security in the Commons statement following the Paris terrorist attacks.”
Hilary Benn, who stayed as shadow foreign secretary after coming to an agreement with Corbyn on their future working, wrote:
Pat McFadden made an outstanding contribution as shadow minister in arguing the case for Britain's place in EU. Privilege to work with him.
— Hilary Benn (@hilarybennmp) January 6, 2016
John Woodcock, who has been outspoken in his opposition to the Labour leader and who describes himself as a friend of McFadden, said:
If you can't state these views and be a shadow minister then our party really is being driven off a cliff https://t.co/mELo2ixaKt
— John Woodcock (@JWoodcockMP) January 6, 2016
Liz Kendall, who had run for the Labour leadership, was even more forthright in her reaction to McFadden’s sacking:
Well said @patmcfaddenmp: terrorists are responsible for their actions; no-1 makes them rape or behead people or throw gay men off buildings
— Liz Kendall (@leicesterliz) January 6, 2016
Jamie Reed, MP for Copeland, said:
We got anybody with government experience who's widely respected? "Don't look at me!" What about @patmcfaddenmp ? "Yes. Him. Sack him."
— Jamie Reed (@jreedmp) January 6, 2016
Jonathan Ashworth, MP for Leicester South, said:
I worked closely with @patmcfaddenmp when he was NPF Chair & put together the 2nd Warwick Agreement. Sorry to see him leaving frontbench
— Jonathan Ashworth MP (@JonAshworth) January 6, 2016
Wes Streeting, part of the 2015 intake of MPs, wrote that he too was worried about the decision:
Gutted about @patmcfaddenmp. Crucial year with EU ref and we've lost an experienced heavyweight. What a shower.
— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) January 5, 2016
Lance Price, Tony Blair’s former director of communications, posted:
@johnmcdonnellMP floundering trying to claim @patmcfaddenmp undermined Corbyn 'numerous times'. Sacked for speaking good sense.
— Lance Price (@mrlanceprice) January 6, 2016
Maria Eagle, who has been moved to shadow culture secretary, mostly because she disagreed with Corbyn’s position opposing the Trident nuclear weapons system, tweeted:
Pleased to have been appointed to new role as Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1/4)
— Maria Eagle MP (@meaglemp) January 6, 2016
adding:
The Tories have also launched an attack one of our most treasured institutions - the BBC. I will take them to task on these issues (3/4)
— Maria Eagle MP (@meaglemp) January 6, 2016
And will be calling on the Government to proceed with the implementation of the proposals put forward by Leveson (4/4)
— Maria Eagle MP (@meaglemp) January 6, 2016
But Bonnie Greer, the author, was pleased with the appointment:
Great news that @meaglemp is shadow Culture. A brilliant mind & fighter comes to the aid of public service broadcasting and the arts #Labour
— Bonnie Greer (@Bonn1eGreer) January 6, 2016
And there was support for the shadow culture secretary, Michael Dugher, whom Corbyn had ejected from his frontbench team on Tuesday. Dan Jarvis tweeted his disappointment and wrote:
Sad to see this. @MichaelDugher is a highly effective & authentic voice 4 working ppl & a great champion for #Labour https://t.co/bGFEhfFqxD
— Dan Jarvis (@DanJarvisMP) January 5, 2016
Andy Burnham, who had also run for Labour leader last year, tweeted:
.@MichaelDugher is Labour to the core & has served our Party with distinction. He can leave the front-bench with his head held high.
— Andy Burnham (@andyburnhammp) January 5, 2016
Lucy Powell, who is shadow education secretary, tweeted her disappointment:
Very sorry to see @MichaelDugher leave Shadow Cabinet. Michael is a formidable campaigner who provides an important & authentic voice.
— Lucy Powell MP (@LucyMPowell) January 5, 2016
Chuka Umunna, MP for Streatham, said:
If getting rid of the Tories & electing a Labour government to implement Labour values is your thing, @MichaelDugher is your man. A big loss
— Chuka Umunna (@ChukaUmunna) January 5, 2016
Dugher posted his own reaction, writing:
Just been sacked by Jeremy Corbyn. I wished him a happy new year.
— Michael Dugher MP (@MichaelDugher) January 5, 2016
Ian Austin, MP for Dudley North, concluded:
Reshuffle news: @MichaelDugher sacked for calling for unity, @patmcfaddenmp for criticising ISIS. @meaglemp moved for backing party policy
— Ian Austin (@IanAustinMP) January 6, 2016
But there were some MPs who were upbeat.
Sad to be leaving Home Office Team as @andyburnhammp PPS but pleased to be joining DCLG as Shadow Jnr Minister
— Emma Lewell-Buck (@EmmaLewellBuck) January 6, 2016
Jon Trickett, the shadow communities and local government secretary, was also pleased about his new team:
@EmmaLewellBuck Delighted to have Emma as additional junior minister in our team.
— Jon Trickett (@jon_trickett) January 6, 2016
And finally, Lisa Nandy, who remains shadow energy secretary, denied rumours she had turned down the defence role:
(In the spirit of straight talking, honest politics) the answer to this is no. https://t.co/Z43Qyx0iM8
— Lisa Nandy (@lisanandy) January 5, 2016
