Skip to content
Saturday 22 August 2026London --:--Frankfurt --:--Zurich --:--
NewslettersSearchEN · DE · FR
MorningWire

European business, markets and politics

FTSE 100
10,816.56
+0.64%
DAX
26,136.56
+0.59%
CAC 40
8,484.43
+0.37%
STOXX 50
6,462.22
+0.63%
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Politics
  • Opinion
More
GermanyFranceEU InstitutionsCompetitionPublic AffairsBankingTechnologyEnergy
  • Germany
  • France
  • Europe
  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • DE
Wednesday 06 January 2016 1:06 pm

Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet faces slew of resignations as Jonathan Reynolds, Stephen Doughty and Kevan Jones leave Labour’s front bench

By: James Nickerson

Add as a preferred source on Google

A slew of resignations from Labour's front bench has followed leader Jeremy Corbyn's first shadow cabinet reshuffle.

Shadow rail minister Jonathan Reynolds, shadow foreign office minister Stephen Doughty and Kevan Jones, a shadow defence minister, are the first casualties of Corbyn's reshuffle, which concluded after over 30 hours of deliberations.

Announcing the news, Reynolds said: "On reflection regarding yesterday's Labour reshuffle, I have decided that it's best if I serve the Party as a backbencher. I've written to Jeremy this morning to let him know."

Read more: Here's what the shadow cabinet looks like now

In the letter, Reynolds said that he appreciated Corbyn's need for greater discipline on the frontbench, but that due to this it would be more appropriate for him to serve as a backbencher.

Reynold's resignation comes after a reshuffle that consisted of over 30 hours of deliberations, with reports of more resignations to follow.

Meanwhile, Doughty resigned his post live on the BBC Daily Politics show, saying "lies" were being told by Corbyn's team and that resigning was the "honourable thing to do" after having been angered by McFadden's sacking.

Read more: Labour's electoral performance since Corbyn took over

For his part, Jones handed in his resignation over the issue of "the UK's nuclear deterrent". While he respects "those like [Corbyn] who advocate a unilateralist position", he does not agree with that view, he wrote to the Labour leader.

And it could get much worse, with bookmarker Betway now running odds on the next shadow cabinet minister to resign, with Hilary Benn favourite at 7/2, and Maria Eagle not far behind on 6/1.

Yesterday Corbyn sacked two of his most outspoken shadow cabinet members, Pat McFadden and Michael Dugher, which resulted in a chorus of criticism directed at Corbyn.

The criticism may be causing the least of Corbyn's upset, however, given the resignation of the shadow rail minister and his overwhelming love for everything locomotive.

2nd month running I'm mentioned on front page of Rail Magazine. Great read on way back from @EastMidsLabour #EMlab15 pic.twitter.com/nptoyz35K6

— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) October 24, 2015

Share this article

  • Facebook
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • WhatsApp
  • Email

Similarly tagged content:

Sections

  • News

Categories

  • Business

Trending Articles

  • House prices in wealthy London boroughs fall by up to £300,000

  • As it happened: FTSE 100 rallies after JD Sports drags on blue chips; oil jumps again

  • Mike Ashley’s Frasers offers to pay personal shoppers in Harvey Nichols takeover

  • Ratcliffe’s Ineos saves Runcorn plant

  • Amazon says it buys books in bulk to ‘improve products’

More from Morning Wire

  • Should Burnham dash for an early election?

    Opinion
    Andy Burnham, wearing a dark suit and glasses, speaks outdoors with trees in the background.
  • Jonathan Reynolds’ industrial strategy is straight out of the 60s

    Opinion
    Labour's Jonathan Reynolds unveiled the industrial strategy in June.
  • Astrazeneca and Jaguar Land Rover given power to endorse talented migrants for visas

    Politics
    Jonathan Reynolds addressing the SMMT's annual International Automotive Summit (image courtesy of SMMT)
  • Burnham is wrong. Devolution will only grow Whitehall

    Opinion
    Whitehall SW1 street sign in the City of Westminster, London, mounted on a white stone wall with decorative trim.
  • Government urged to refuse £1bn British Steel repayment to Chinese former owner 

    Politics
    Labour's Jonathan Reynolds unveiled the industrial strategy in June.
  • Where are Andy Burnham’s economic advisers?

    Politics
    Andy Burnham and John Healey at Number 10 North, both wearing suits and ties, with a microphone in the foreground.
  •  Burnham to unveil new cost of living measures on UK tour

    Politics
    Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, speaking outdoors with a lapel microphone on his suit jacket.
  • Net zero and DEI targets cut from procurement rules as firms pressed to raise pay and hire NEETs

    Politics
    Louise Haigh, Andy Burnham, and another man smiling in front of a dark door with 10 visible.
MorningWire

Independent European business, markets and political news for decision-makers.

Morning Briefing

Europe

  • Germany
  • France
  • EU Institutions
  • Europe

Business

  • Markets
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Regulation
  • Competition
  • Public Affairs

Editorial

  • Opinion
  • Editorial Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Company

  • About Morning Wire
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
© 2026 Morning Wire Ltd · Published by Morning Wire Media, Bahnhofstrasse 65, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
Privacy · Terms · Cookies · Facebook