Party sources confirmed on Tuesday that the Labor leader had decided to let the left-wing parties keep their jobs after showing solidarity with union militants responsible for causing misery to millions of passengers during last week’s walkouts. Labor chief Alan Campbell is said to have spoken to the front benchers, including Shadow Justice Secretary Alex Sobel, who posted pictures of himself on picket lines on social media.
Party leaders are also expected to send them letters warning them about their future behavior. But no further disciplinary action is expected against them.
The five front benchers were among at least 25 Labor MPs who joined the Rail, Maritime and Transport trade unionists to demonstrate in support of the national strike.
Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith said: “This shows that the opposition leader has lost control not only over his back seat, but also his front seat.
“Vultures are already circling and it is clear that some people are now vying for union support and have joined pickets to get it. Discipline has clearly broken down completely.
“Labour should stand up for working people and all those who have suffered from these unjustified strikes, but instead they say nothing in public while their MPs actively support their union payers.”
Navendu Mishra, a Labor whip, tweeted during the strike last Tuesday: “As a proud trade unionist, I support all workers on our railway network who are taking union action to fight for their jobs and protect passengers.”
Prior to the strike, Sir Keir issued a memo to front benchers urging them “not to be on picket lines”.
Sources close to the leader at the time suggested he would take a hard line on the matter.
But his edict infuriated the leftists and threatened to split the party.
Other front benchers stopped attending picket lines, but made their support for the industrial action clear. Deputy Labor leader Angela Rayner tweeted: “Workers have no choice.”
Sir Keir also caused bewilderment in Labor ranks on Tuesday by admitting he dumped all party policies and “started from scratch”.
Speaking at an event hosted by New Statesman magazine, the Labor leader said he had abandoned the entire 2019 general election manifesto prepared under the leadership of his hard-left predecessor Jeremy Corbyn.
“What we did with the last manifesto is put it aside. We start from scratch. The slate has been wiped clean,’ said Sir Keir.
“What we do have to recognize is that after going through the pandemic, we have to look at everything and make choices about where we want to put our money.”
He admitted to giving up some of his radical views on the past and defended the right of politicians to change their mind.
“If you don’t change your mind while experiencing life, you probably won’t get very far,” the opposition leader said.