Jeremy Corbyn ‘storms out’ of Labour Christmas karaoke bash after MPs sing Tony Blair election anthem Things Can Only Get Better
Rebel MPs used the musical theme to mock the embattled leader, also singing Like A Virgin in reference to train seat fiasco
JEREMY Corbyn reportedly stormed out of a Labour Party Christmas karaoke bash after MPs sang Tony Blair’s 1997 election anthem Things Can Only Get Better and chanted "We want Tony!"
The Labour leader was said to have been left humiliated at the festive knees-up at the Westminster Kitchen bar and grill – attended by around 60 MPs – after rebel parliamentarians used the party’s musical theme to mock him.
Mike Gapes sang The Beatles’ hit Back In The USSR in a not-so-subtle dig at Corbyn’s weak stance over Russia’s involvement in Syria, according to the .
The Labour leader has come under heavy fire over the issue, with protesters interrupting his speech at an event just this month to call on him to take a tougher line on Vladimir Putin.
And Gapes, who previously demanded Corbyn condemn Russia’s indiscriminate airstrikes, reportedly told the room: “I dedicate this song to the downfall of the Soviet Union – it’s never been more topical!”
Labour MP Mary Glindon is also said to have taken to the stage to sing Like A Virgin, in reference to her boss’s claim to have been forced to sit on the floor because of a lack of seats on a Virgin train.
He was eventually forced to admit there was space to sit down after Sir Richard Branson released CCTV images of him walking past empty seats.
And Glindon reportedly went on to rib him for not joining in, telling him: “Go on Jeremy, sing I Did It My Way.”
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Anti-Corbyn MP Ian Murray was said to have taken a swipe at Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell’s spending policies via WhatsApp, joking that he was going to sing Money For Nothing by Dire Straits.
But the highlight of the party is reported to have been when Murray and Stoke MP Ruth Smeeth – who was targeted by vile anti-Semitic Corbynites – sang Things Can Only Get Better.
The song by Northern Irish pop group D:Ream was adopted by Labour under centre-left leader Tony Blair during their victorious 1997 election campaign.
And dozens of moderate MPs are said to have joined in before chants of “We want Tony!” were heard around the room.
Corbyn and McDonnell were reported to have stormed out of the party at some point during the evening’s constant barrage of jibes.
But the headache wasn’t over for the Labour leadership – after their MPs racked up a £3,000 bill and angry neighbours complained about the racket.
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