How Corbyn's 'Revenge Reshuffle' Might Look

11:06, UK, Monday 04 January 2016

All change? Who will be lining up on the frontbench next to Mr Corbyn?

• Share on Twitter
• Share on Facebook
• Share on Google+
• Share on Whatsapp
• Share by email

Sophy Ridge

Senior Political Correspondent

 Follow Sophy

Jeremy Corbyn is preparing to change his top team in a reshuffle that could turn Labour into a "religious cult", according to a shadow minister.

Shadow culture secretary Michael Dugher warned that widespread sackings would leave a "politburo of seven" running the party.

Sources close to the Labour leader say Mr Corbyn is keen to make sure his shadow cabinet is speaking with a unanimous voice and stop divisions in his top team.

A shadow cabinet meeting is pencilled in for Tuesday lunchtime, so Mr Corbyn is likely to have to cancel it or complete his reshuffle by that deadline.

So who is in the frame for a promotion, and who could be about to beat a hasty retreat to the backbenches?

:: GOING UP?

:: Emily Thornberry

Mrs Thornberry, one of Mr Corbyn's fellow Islington MPs, could be in for a big post.

The Labour leader is said to be keen to offer one of the big three positions (foreign, home or chancellor) to a woman, and the foreign affairs brief is the most likely to be up for grabs.

Mrs Thornberry has frontbench experience as shadow attorney general before Ed Miliband sacked her for posting a picture on Twitter of a white van outside a house draped in the St George's flag, which some said was patronising.

:: Clive Lewis

Mr Lewis, MP for Norwich South, is a keen Corbynite who could get his first taste for a shadow cabinet job after winning a seat in the 2015 election.

He served as a Territorial Army officer in Afghanistan so is a potential candidate for shadow defence secretary, and his appointment would be seen as a significant shift to the left.

:: Diane Abbott

Veteran MP Ms Abbott has been a frequent cheerleader for Mr Corbyn on the airwaves and will be hoping that her loyalty will be rewarded with a promotion.

Currently shadow international development secretary, a higher profile job would help Mr Corbyn achieve his aim of having more women in top shadow cabinet positions.

GOING DOWN?

:: Hilary Benn

Mr Benn's very public disagreement with Mr Corbyn over airstrikes in Syria put him in the firing line, with some in Team Corbyn believing that it's untenable to have a shadow foreign secretary at odds with the leader over issues of war.

However, supporters claim that sacking Mr Benn could spark a mutiny among other Labour MPs. Instead he could be in for a sideways move or be left alone all together.

:: Maria Eagle

The shadow defence secretary fundamentally disagrees with Mr Corbyn's position on Syria and Trident, making her vulnerable in any reshuffle.

However, some in Camp Corbyn fear that if Maria Eagle is sacked then her twin sister Angela Eagle could also walk, so she may be moved to another shadow cabinet role.

:: Michael Dugher

Mr Dugher has stuck his head above the parapet (always dangerous) to speak out against a "revenge reshuffle". He voted in favour of air strikes in Syria and is from the centrist wing of the Labour Party, so could be vulnerable.

STAYING SAFE?

:: John McDonnell

The shadow chancellor is Mr Corbyn's closest political ally and friend so he’s unlikely to be demoted.

:: Andy Burnham

Friends of the Labour leader say that Jeremy Corbyn is happy with Mr Burnham's performance so he’s not in the firing line.

However, a "job swap" has been suggested where Mr Burnham would become shadow foreign secretary and Mr Benn take over the home affairs brief.

Whether that would be acceptable to Mr Corbyn – who is keen to see a woman in one of the top posts – remains to be seen.

:: Dame Rosie Winterton

The Chief Whip was initially believed to be vulnerable after the "free vote" on air strikes in Syria.

However, the Westminster rumour mill now suggests that she could be safe after numerous Labour MPs rowed in to support her in her job.