Jeremy Corbyn faced a leadership challenge from his own MPs last year – if they didn’t believe in him, then why should voters?
The Labour leader's top team say they are behind him now - but they haven't always been so kind
AS VOTERS flock to the polls today, Brexit feels like a lifetime ago.
But it was only last year - after our historic vote to leave the EU - that many of Jeremy Corbyn's top team were urging him to step down, due to a lack of confidence and belief in their leader.
His own party made it perfectly clear that there were divisions throughout the Labour party and dozens resigned from the Shadow Cabinet.
If even his own MPs didn't believe Corbyn could do the job, why should voters at the polls today?
Here's a reminder of what his Shadow Cabinet have said about the Labour leader in the past.
LYN BROWN - Shadow Home Secretary (acting)
“For the good of the party and the country, I believe that we should seek a new Leader.”
SIR KEIR STARMER – Shadow Brexit Secretary
“‘It is simply untenable now to suggest we can offer an effective opposition without a change of leader.”
JOHN HEALEY – Shadow Housing Minister
“You are clearly not prepared to accept the special responsibility you have.”
BARBARA KEELEY - Shadow mental health minister
"I am deeply concerned that the current state of the party means we will not be able to mount an effective frontbench opposition."
RICHARD BURDEN - Shadow transport minister
"I honestly believe that for you to respond by digging yourself deeper into your trench is just going to make a mad situation worse, regardless of how many troops in the broader party you believe will go over the top for you."
NIA GRIFFITH – Shadow defence secretary
“I do not feel that our discussions this morning gave me the confidence that he could now achieve this unity.”
NICK SMITH - Opposition whip
"I am afraid for the future of our party with you as leader."
SHARON HODGSON - Shadow public health minister
"I fear your leadership could force Labour into fighting for its very existence rather than campaigning to form the next government."
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FABIAN HAMILTON - Shadow defence minister
";I was very concerned about the treatment of a Jewish MP by a party member at the launch of the report into anti-Semitism in the Labour Party."
KARL TURNER - Opposition whip
"It has become increasingly clear that you do not hold the support of the shadow cabinet and the wider Parliamentary Labour Party."
NEIL KINNOCK - former Labour leader
“I said that Jeremy just can’t do the job. Now I think he knows that.”
JACK DROMEY – Shadow business minister
“I believe that we may now be on the brink of a catastrophic defeat from which Labour might never recovery.”
STEVE REED – Shadow employment Minister
‘I no longer believe we can win a General Election with you as the leader of the Party.”
ANGELA EAGLE – Former Shadow Business Secretary
“[We need a] leader who can unite rather than divide.”
JENNY CHAPMAN – Shadow Brexit Minister
“The uncomfortable truth is that Labour needs a leader who can reach out more widely.”
THANGAM DEBBONAIRE - Opposition whip
"I know [Mr Corbyn] is not the right person to show strong leadership through Brexit negotiations."
EMMA LEWELL-BUCK - Shadow children’s minister
"I remain angry that a meltdown has been orchestrated by the Labour Party. I am sad and worried about the future of the party."
NIC DAKIN - Opposition whip
"You no longer have my confidence so I will not be able to support you."
LIZ McINNES - Shadow foreign minister
"I could no longer serve a leader who appeared to be putting his own interests ahead of the party."
WAYNE DAVID - Shadow armed forces minister
"I am deeply concerned that you and your office made sustained efforts to dilute the party’s positive message during the referendum campaign. It is now clear that under your leadership the prospects are not good."
ROBERTA BLACKMAN-WOODS - Shadow housing minister
"You could, and should, have shown more decisive and visionary leadership and your failure to step down means that I must. I no longer have confidence in you as a leader."
NICK THOMAS-SYMONDS - Shadow solicitor general
"I have very reluctantly drawn the conclusion that a different leader is required, and I am very sorry to say that I have lost confidence in your ability to unite the party."
PAT GLASS Shadow transport minister
"It is with a heavy heart that I have today resigned. My dream job but the situation is untenable."
MATTHEW PENNYCOOK - Shadow Brexit minister
"The task ahead will require compelling leadership that can command the support of both our members and the Parliamentary Labour Party. I no longer believe that you can provide that leadership."
ANDY SLAUGHTER - Shadow London minister
"I don’t think you are the best person to maximise support in the country."
ALAN WHITEHEAD - Shadow energy minister
"You are a good, decent, committed person but not the right person to lead the Opposition."
Alex Cunningham – Shadow pensions minister
"I am not convinced that with you as leader we can win the general election."
