Labour MPs warn of 'civil war' ahead of Jeremy Corbyn's cabinet reshuffle
JEREMY CORBYN would be “declaring civil war” on Labour backbenchers if he axes Hilary Benn from his shadow cabinet, MPs warned last night.
Hilary Benn was a vocal supporter of air strikes in Syria, disobeying party leader Jeremy Corbyn
The Labour leader is expected to mount a “revenge reshuffle” of his cabinet this week to purge moderates that threaten his radical Left-wing agenda.
At particular risk are those 11 members who earlier this month defied him over the vote to allow attacks on Syria.
They include shadow defence secretary Maria Eagle and her sister, shadow business minister Angela Eagle, as well as shadow Northern Ireland secretary Vernon Coaker and shadow culture secretary Michael Dugher.
The shadow foreign secretary is seen as being particularly at risk ahead of any cabinet shake up
Shadow business minister Angela Eagle also voted in favour of military action in Syria
Shadow foreign secretary Mr Benn won acclaim for his speech supporting air strikes on Islamic State in Syria.
We must remember that it is this type of influence in the party that kept us out of power for almost 20 years
Last night one backbencher said: “If Jeremy Corbyn removed Hilary Benn from the shadow cabinet it would be tantamount to declaring open civil war with Labour MPs.”
Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman said: “I was one of those who fought to keep the dangerous influence of Militant in check in the Seventies and Eighties.
“Now their equivalents have more power within the party than ever. We must remember that it is this type of influence in the party that kept us out of power for almost 20 years.”
Labour MP Barry Sheerman vowed to fight the 'militant' lefties within his party