CLASS WAR
Jeremy Corbyn branded ‘classless’ for twisting knife into Theresa May saying ‘she can’t govern’
The Labour leader also called for a snap general election minutes after the beleaguered PM announced her intention to resign
JEREMY Corbyn has been branded “classless” after saying Theresa May’s resignation proved she “can’t govern” while calling for a snap election.
The Labour leader was slammed as “unstatesmanlike” by voters on social media for sticking the knife into the Prime Minister minutes after she stepped down.
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Corbyn has been bolstered by a new poll which shows his party hold a slim lead over the Tories who have descended into a civil war over Brexit.
Mrs May, who became PM in the aftermath of the historic referendum result in 2016, has failed to deliver the UK’s exit from the European Union.
Corbyn said the Tory leader was “right to resign” while demanding the government call a general election.
He said: “She’s now accepted what the country's known for months: she can't govern, and nor can her divided and disintegrating party.
“Whoever becomes the new Tory leader must let the people decide our country's future.”
His comments were in stark contrast to other MPs, including opponents of Mrs May, who praised the “dignity” of her resignation.
Some voters on Twitter blasted the opposition leader’s comments.
One wrote: “Classless, graceless, conceited and unashamed. Proof Corbyn never reflects on his performance or has any awareness of how divided and rudderless Labour is under his leadership.
“He's truly vainglorious. I didn't agree with May but I respected her openness to stand by her principles.”
CALLED FOR SNAP ELECTION
Another posted: “Corbyn’s classless statement shows once again how rubbish a statesman he'd be.”
The Labour leader later appeared on Sky News where he finally offered some sympathy to the beleaguered, out-going PM.
He said: “At a human level, I listened to her statement this morning and one can understand the stress that she's going through, as any human being would be going through in this situation.”
Even Corbyn's deputy Ton Watson had kinds words for Mrs May admitting "had an unenviably difficult job, and she did it badly."
He added that "she tried to do what was right for our country" and was 'honourable in her intentions."
Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable, whose party now want a second EU referendum, said: "The Prime Minister is right to recognise that her administration has reached the end of the road.
"Sadly her compromises through the last three years have too often been with the right-wing of her own party, rather than about bringing the country together."
Andrea Leadsom, whose resignation earlier this week helped lead to Mrs May's departure, tweeted: "A very dignified speech by @theresa_may.
"An illustration of her total commitment to country and duty. She did her utmost, and I wish her all the very best."
Leadership candidate Dominic Raab, who is set to run to replace Mrs May, said: "Dignified as ever, @theresa_may showed her integrity. She remains a dedicated public servant, patriot and loyal Conservative."
Boris Johnson added: "Thank you for your stoical service to our country and the Conservative Party. It is now time to follow her urgings: to come together and deliver Brexit."
Home Secretary Sajid Javid said: "Nobody could have worked harder or had a greater sense of public duty than the Prime Minister."
The PM was forced to resign after she failed to deliver Brexit and lost the support of her own MPs - but will continue in office as a lame duck until July.
Shortly after meeting Tory "executioner" Sir Graham Brady, she addressed the nation in the spring sunshine of Downing Street - watched by adoring husband Philip - and admitted her time is up.
Mrs May confessed she now has no chance of ever getting her Brexit deal through Parliament but insisted "I have done my best" to deliver on the referendum result.
She said: "Ever since I first stepped through the door behind me as Prime Minister, I have striven to make the United Kingdom a country that works not just for a privileged few, but for everyone. And to honour the result of the EU referendum.
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"If you give people a choice you have a duty to implement what they decide. I have done my best to do that.
"Sadly I have not been able to do so. I tried three times - I believe it was right to persevere even when the odds against success seemed high."
Her voice cracking, she attempted to defend her legacy and insisted she has helped to fix Britain's "burning injustices".
Mrs May concluded: "I will shortly leave the job it has been the honour of my life to hold - the second female Prime Minister, but certainly not the last.
"I do so with no ill will but with enormous and enduring gratitude to have had the opportunity to serve the country I love."
Theresa May confirms she is standing down as leader of the Conservative Party on Friday 7th June
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