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Dan Carden wrote to Sir Keir to offer his resignation as the Treasury’s shadow financial secretary as part of a rebellion over the Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) bill. Liverpool Labor MP Walton said that, as a “matter of conscience,” he voted against the bill in the House of Commons on Thursday night, saying the proposed legislation sets “dangerous new precedents” on the state of law and civil liberties. The bill would give undercover officers broad legal rights to commit crimes in the course of their work.
Commenting on the latest resignation, Daily Mirror political editor Pippa Crerar tweeted: “I could be wrong, but I think Dan Carden was the last Corbynite left on the Labor front bench.”
Carden’s resignation letter came hours before Sir Keir suffered a humiliating blow after 34 Labor MPs, including Jeremy Corbyn, defied the party’s whip on the so-called “spy cops” law.
Liverpool MP Walton had already said earlier today that he intended to vote against the bill, thus breaking the party’s whip of abstaining.
He said in his letter to Sir Keir: “In these circumstances, I am offering to resign from your front bench.
“On this occasion, I am determined that, as a matter of conscience, I must use my voice and vote on behalf of my constituents to challenge legislation that sets dangerous new precedents for the rule of law and civil liberties in this country.
“At the second reading, I followed the party whip to abstain in the hope that I could work constructively to shift the party’s position toward opposition to the bill at the third reading.
“Now it is clear that this has not been possible.
“We have spoken extensively on these issues and I know that he has decided for yours and the party’s position based on your own experience and sincerity.
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“You will understand that as an MP and trade unionist from Liverpool, I share the deep concerns about this legislation of the entire labor movement, human rights organizations and so many who have suffered abuse of state power, from blacklisted workers to families. Hillsborough and Survivors “.
But despite stepping down from the Labor front bench, he insisted that Sir Keir still maintains his full backing.
Mr Carden continued in his letter: “My focus now and for months to come will continue to be representing the Liverpool Walton constituency and fighting for the people of my city as we face the enormous challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.”
Several high-profile Labor MPs backed their colleague’s decision to resign from the front bench in opposition to the bill.
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Diane Abbott, the Labor MP from Hackney North and Stoke Newington, who was also a shadow Home Secretary under Jeremy Corbyn, tweeted: “Solidarity Dan. Your constituents will be very proud of you.”
Dawn Butler, Labor MP for Brent Central, tweeted: “Solidarity Dan. This is never an easy thing to do.
“Liverpool is lucky that you represent your voice in Parliament.
“I will join you in voting against this bill. I think there needs to be more safeguards on the face of the bill.”
Tonight in the House of Commons, Sir Keir was hit by a series of resignations when he suffered a major rebellion over the bill.
The Labor leader had told his MPs to abstain at the third reading of the proposed legislation, but 34 of them, including Jeremy Corbyn, John McDonnell and Diane Abbott, objected.
Wirral West MP Margaret Greenwood resigned as Shadow Schools Minister, while Stockport MP Navendu Mishra also resigned ahead of the vote as a parliamentary assistant to Labor Deputy Leader Angela Rayner.
Closing the committee stage debate for Labor, Shadow Home Secretary Conor McGinn said of the rebels: “I think they are wrong, but that doesn’t mean I don’t respect the arguments they have put forward.
Interior Minister Priti Patel mocked the opposition, saying: “Once again, the Labor Party has refused to defend those who protect our country and keep us all safe.
“Their leader may have changed, but Labor’s national security cannot yet be trusted.”
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