Long-Bailey’s removal on Thursday prompted criticisms from leading leftwing figures in the party, some of whom had previously been reluctant to confront Starmer directly. With Starmer already narrowly holding a majority on Labour’s ruling national executive committee (NEC), some are concerned about tens of thousands of members leaving the party, weakening the voice of the left inside the Labour machine. Set up in the spring, the group says its aims include “to prevent any rightward drift that may occur within Labour under Keir Starmer”. McDonnell later approvingly tweeted details of a grouping called Don’t Leave, Organise, of which JVL is a member.
