Britain's opposition Labour Party will support a new referendum on Brexit after parliament defeated its alternative plan for leaving the European Union, the party's leader Jeremy Corbyn said.

With 29 days left until the United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union, the leaders of Britain's two main parties have been forced into making key turns on the divorce in recent days.

After months of saying that Britain must leave the EU on time on March 29, May opened up the possibility on Tuesday of a short limited extension to the exit date.

Corbyn, who voted against membership in 1975 and gave only reluctant backing to the 2016 campaign to stay, on Wednesday gave an ambiguous backing for another referendum saying he would push for one alongside a national election.

"After tonight's votes in parliament, we'll continue to push for a close economic relationship based on our credible alternative plan or a general election," Corbyn said.

"We'll also back a public vote in order to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit or disastrous no deal."

John McDonnell, the second most powerful man in the Labour Party, said the party would put down an amendment calling for a second referendum as soon as May brought a deal back to parliament.

After May's deal was rejected on Jan. 15 in the biggest parliamentary defeat in modern British history, she is hoping to bring back a tweaked divorce accord for a vote, which could come as early as next week but may not take place until March 12.

Brexit maze

If her deal is voted down, May has promised lawmakers will get a chance to vote on whether to leave with no deal the day after and then on March 14 to vote on asking the EU to delay the deadline.

Lawmakers on Wednesday voted 502-20 in support of an amendment proposed by opposition Labour lawmaker Yvette Cooper that spelt out May's proposed timetable. The government backed the amendment.

"We continue to see the most likely outcome of the current impasse as eventual ratification of the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal, with a three-month extension of Article 50," Goldman Sachs said.

Goldman raised the probability of that outcome to 55 per cent from 50 per cent while cutting its view of no-deal Brexit to 10 per cent from 15. It kept the probability of no Brexit at 35 per cent.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that the EU would agree to extend the Brexit deadline beyond March 29 only if Britain justified such a request with a clear objective.

"If the British need more time, we would support an extension request if it was justified by new choices from the British," Macron told a joint briefing with Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel in Paris. "But we would in no way accept an extension without a clear view on the objective pursued."

Britain's opposition Labour Party will support a new referendum on Brexit after parliament defeated its alternative plan for leaving the European Union, the party's leader Jeremy Corbyn said.

Britain's opposition Labour Party will support a new referendum on Brexit after parliament defeated its alternative plan for leaving the European Union, the party's leader Jeremy Corbyn said. With 29 days left until the United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union, the leaders of Britain's two main parties have been forced into making key turns on the divorce in recent days. After months of saying that Britain must leave the EU on time on March 29, May opened up the possibility on Tuesday of a short limited extension to the exit date. Corbyn, who voted against membership in 1975 and gave only reluctant backing to the 2016 campaign to stay, on Wednesday gave an ambiguous backing for another referendum saying he would push for one alongside a national election. "After tonight's votes in parliament, we'll continue to push for a close economic relationship based on our credible alternative plan or a general election," Corbyn said. "We'll also back a public vote in order to prevent a damaging Tory Brexit or disastrous no deal." John McDonnell, the second most powerful man in the Labour Party, said the party would put down an amendment calling for a second referendum as soon as May brought a deal back to parliament. After May's deal was rejected on Jan. 15 in the biggest parliamentary defeat in modern British history, she is hoping to bring back a tweaked divorce accord for a vote, which could come as early as next week but may not take place until March 12. Brexit maze If her deal is voted down, May has promised lawmakers will get a chance to vote on whether to leave with no deal the day after and then on March 14 to vote on asking the EU to delay the deadline. Lawmakers on Wednesday voted 502-20 in support of an amendment proposed by opposition Labour lawmaker Yvette Cooper that spelt out May's proposed timetable. The government backed the amendment. "We continue to see the most likely outcome of the current impasse as eventual ratification of the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal, with a three-month extension of Article 50," Goldman Sachs said. Goldman raised the probability of that outcome to 55 per cent from 50 per cent while cutting its view of no-deal Brexit to 10 per cent from 15. It kept the probability of no Brexit at 35 per cent. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that the EU would agree to extend the Brexit deadline beyond March 29 only if Britain justified such a request with a clear objective. "If the British need more time, we would support an extension request if it was justified by new choices from the British," Macron told a joint briefing with Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel in Paris. "But we would in no way accept an extension without a clear view on the objective pursued."

Britain's Labour Party backs new Brexit referendum

Britain's opposition Labour Party said on Monday it would back calls for a second <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/brexit-to-cause-significant-harm-to-britains-health-service-199723">referendum on Brexit</a> if parliament rejects its alternative plan for leaving the European Union.

With just over a month until Britain is due to leave the bloc on March 29, Prime Minister Theresa May is seeking changes to her exit deal in order to break an impasse in parliament.

Labour's decision could damage her hopes of winning support for a revised deal in a vote she has promised by March 12, by attracting those who would have backed her agreement in order to avoid a no-deal exit but who would prefer a second referendum.

Parliament is due to debate and vote on Wednesday on the next steps in Britain's tortuous departure from the EU, and lawmakers are set to offer proposals, or amendments, which could include demanding the exit deal is put to a public vote.

Labour said it would put forward an amendment calling on the government to adopt its Brexit proposals, which include a permanent customs union with the EU and close alignment with the bloc's single market.

"If Parliament rejects our plan, then Labour will deliver on the promise we made at our annual conference and support a public vote," Labour's Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said.

Parliament is not expected to back Labour's Brexit plan and it remains unclear whether there is a majority in parliament in favour of holding a second referendum.

"We're in a very volatile situation. We are in the middle of a political crisis and a constitutional crisis... It's difficult to say at any one point what feelings are going to be two or three weeks down the line," a Labour spokesman told reporters.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been under pressure for some time to support a second referendum. Last week, eight referendum-supporting lawmakers quit the party, in part owing to frustration over his failure to back another vote.

The prospect of holding a second vote poses a dilemma for Corbyn: while many of the party's members and supporters fervently back a so-called People's Vote, others simply want Britain to leave the EU as soon as possible.

BACK TO 'SQUARE ONE'

Labour said it would support a bid by its lawmaker Yvette Cooper to give parliament the legal power to force May to delay Brexit by seeking an extension to the Article 50 negotiating period.

"We are committed to also putting forward or supporting an amendment in favour of a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory (Conservative) Brexit being forced on the country," Corbyn was due to tell a meeting of his lawmakers on Monday, his office said.

"One way or another, we will do everything in our power to prevent no deal."

Brandon Lewis, Chairman of May's Conservatives, said another popular vote would "take us back to square one" and Labour had gone back on its promise to respect the 2016 referendum result. That went 52-48 percent in favour of leaving the EU.

The amendment on a public vote may not come at this week's vote in parliament however. The Labour spokesman said the wording and timing of the amendment was still to be decided.

A proposal by Labour lawmakers Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson that May's deal be put to the public in another referendum will not be put forward for a vote in parliament until May brings her agreement back for approval.

"There's no turning back for Jeremy now," Kyle said.

Labour lawmakers at the meeting on Monday were split in their reactions.

"I still have deep reservations about the idea of having another referendum. I think it's going to be deeply divisive," lawmaker Stephen Kinnock said.

Labour foreign affairs spokeswoman Emily Thornberry told ITV a second referendum should present a choice between May's deal and remaining in the EU, but the Labour spokesman directly contradicted her, saying that would be an unacceptable choice.

The Remain Labour campaign group, which wants to stop Brexit, said the announcement was "a significant step forward".

"A second referendum was only ever possible with the votes of Labour Members of Parliament and we are now on the verge of making this happen," founder Andrew Lewin said in a statement.

"We are not complacent, but we are closer tonight to a People’s Vote than we have ever been."

Britain's opposition Labour Party said on Monday it would back calls for a second referendum on Brexit if parliament rejects its alternative plan for leaving the European Union.

Britain's opposition Labour Party said on Monday it would back calls for a second referendum on Brexit if parliament rejects its alternative plan for leaving the European Union. With just over a month until Britain is due to leave the bloc on March 29, Prime Minister Theresa May is seeking changes to her exit deal in order to break an impasse in parliament. Labour's decision could damage her hopes of winning support for a revised deal in a vote she has promised by March 12, by attracting those who would have backed her agreement in order to avoid a no-deal exit but who would prefer a second referendum. Parliament is due to debate and vote on Wednesday on the next steps in Britain's tortuous departure from the EU, and lawmakers are set to offer proposals, or amendments, which could include demanding the exit deal is put to a public vote. Labour said it would put forward an amendment calling on the government to adopt its Brexit proposals, which include a permanent customs union with the EU and close alignment with the bloc's single market. "If Parliament rejects our plan, then Labour will deliver on the promise we made at our annual conference and support a public vote," Labour's Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said. Parliament is not expected to back Labour's Brexit plan and it remains unclear whether there is a majority in parliament in favour of holding a second referendum. "We're in a very volatile situation. We are in the middle of a political crisis and a constitutional crisis... It's difficult to say at any one point what feelings are going to be two or three weeks down the line," a Labour spokesman told reporters. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been under pressure for some time to support a second referendum. Last week, eight referendum-supporting lawmakers quit the party, in part owing to frustration over his failure to back another vote. The prospect of holding a second vote poses a dilemma for Corbyn: while many of the party's members and supporters fervently back a so-called People's Vote, others simply want Britain to leave the EU as soon as possible. BACK TO 'SQUARE ONE' Labour said it would support a bid by its lawmaker Yvette Cooper to give parliament the legal power to force May to delay Brexit by seeking an extension to the Article 50 negotiating period. "We are committed to also putting forward or supporting an amendment in favour of a public vote to prevent a damaging Tory (Conservative) Brexit being forced on the country," Corbyn was due to tell a meeting of his lawmakers on Monday, his office said. "One way or another, we will do everything in our power to prevent no deal." Brandon Lewis, Chairman of May's Conservatives, said another popular vote would "take us back to square one" and Labour had gone back on its promise to respect the 2016 referendum result. That went 52-48 percent in favour of leaving the EU. The amendment on a public vote may not come at this week's vote in parliament however. The Labour spokesman said the wording and timing of the amendment was still to be decided. A proposal by Labour lawmakers Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson that May's deal be put to the public in another referendum will not be put forward for a vote in parliament until May brings her agreement back for approval. "There's no turning back for Jeremy now," Kyle said. Labour lawmakers at the meeting on Monday were split in their reactions. "I still have deep reservations about the idea of having another referendum. I think it's going to be deeply divisive," lawmaker Stephen Kinnock said. Labour foreign affairs spokeswoman Emily Thornberry told ITV a second referendum should present a choice between May's deal and remaining in the EU, but the Labour spokesman directly contradicted her, saying that would be an unacceptable choice. The Remain Labour campaign group, which wants to stop Brexit, said the announcement was "a significant step forward". "A second referendum was only ever possible with the votes of Labour Members of Parliament and we are now on the verge of making this happen," founder Andrew Lewin said in a statement. "We are not complacent, but we are closer tonight to a People’s Vote than we have ever been."

UK's Labour party says it will back call for second Brexit referendum

Cabinet ministers now believe Theresa May is preparing to resign as British Prime Minister this summer so she can influence who succeeds her, The Sun newspaper reported.

May has rejected the idea of targeting a customs union with the European Union, pouring cold water on hopes from some that she could shift her Brexit policy to win over the opposition Labour Party.

Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29 but has yet to find a deal which is acceptable to both Brussels and lawmakers at home, raising the prospect of a disorderly exit that could damage the world's fifth largest economy.

Meanwhile, Defence minister Gavin Williamson on Monday said in a speech that Britain will use military force to support its interests after Brexit.

Williamson outlined plans to send Britain's new aircraft carrier to the Pacific, where London has been seeking to demonstrate its influence in relation to China, and invest his defence budget in new equipment and cyber capabilities.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Cabinet ministers now believe Theresa May is preparing to resign as British Prime Minister this summer so she can influence who succeeds her, The Sun newspaper reported.

Cabinet ministers now believe Theresa May is preparing to resign as British Prime Minister this summer so she can influence who succeeds her, The Sun newspaper reported. May has rejected the idea of targeting a customs union with the European Union, pouring cold water on hopes from some that she could shift her Brexit policy to win over the opposition Labour Party. Britain is due to leave the EU on March 29 but has yet to find a deal which is acceptable to both Brussels and lawmakers at home, raising the prospect of a disorderly exit that could damage the world's fifth largest economy. Meanwhile, Defence minister Gavin Williamson on Monday said in a speech that Britain will use military force to support its interests after Brexit. Williamson outlined plans to send Britain's new aircraft carrier to the Pacific, where London has been seeking to demonstrate its influence in relation to China, and invest his defence budget in new equipment and cyber capabilities. (With inputs from Reuters)

British cabinet ministers believe PM May preparing to resign: Report

Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has written to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/government-wants-to-urgently-work-with-eu-may-on-brexit-plan-195694">Prime Minister Theresa May</a>, offering to support her Brexit deal if she makes five legally binding commitments – including joining a customs union.

Below are Labour's five demands for supporting her deal:

- A permanent customs union. This would include a say in future trade deals

- Close alignment with the EU's single market. This would be underpinned by shared institutions and obligations

- A pledge to keep workers rights in line with those in the EU&nbsp;

- Commitments on participation in EU agencies and funding programmes, including in areas such as the environment, education, and industrial regulation

- Agreements on the detail of future security arrangements, including access to the European Arrest Warrant

Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has written to Prime Minister Theresa May, offering to support her Brexit deal if she makes five legally binding commitments – including joining a customs union.

Britain's opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has written to Prime Minister Theresa May, offering to support her Brexit deal if she makes five legally binding commitments – including joining a customs union. Below are Labour's five demands for supporting her deal: - A permanent customs union. This would include a say in future trade deals - Close alignment with the EU's single market. This would be underpinned by shared institutions and obligations - A pledge to keep workers rights in line with those in the EU - Commitments on participation in EU agencies and funding programmes, including in areas such as the environment, education, and industrial regulation - Agreements on the detail of future security arrangements, including access to the European Arrest Warrant

UK opposition Labour Party sets terms for backing May on Brexit

Britain's opposition Labour Party is seeking to force <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-theresa-may-presents-brexit-plan-b-seeks-to-engage-civil-society-trade-unions-191861">Prime Minister Theresa May</a> to rule out leaving the European Union without a deal and to give parliament a vote on the options to break a deadlock over the way forward.

May's deal was roundly rejected by parliament last week and on Monday she set out a proposal to overcome the impasse by seeking further concessions from the EU on a plan to prevent customs checks on the Irish border.

Lawmakers will debate and vote on the next steps on January 29, and ahead of that, they can put forward amendments to the government's plan, seeking to shape Britain's exit from the bloc.

Labour's amendment seeks to force the government to give parliament time to consider and vote on options to prevent Britain leaving on March 29 without an agreement. Among those options should be a permanent customs union with the EU and a second referendum on Brexit, the party said.

"The prime minister is both refusing to change her red lines or take the threat of a no deal exit off the table. MPs (members of parliament) must now act to break the deadlock," Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said in a statement.

"Our amendment will allow MPs to vote on options to end this Brexit deadlock and prevent the chaos of a no deal."

Britain's opposition Labour Party is seeking to force Prime Minister Theresa May to rule out leaving the European Union without a deal and to give parliament a vote on the options to break a deadlock over the way forward.

Britain's opposition Labour Party is seeking to force Prime Minister Theresa May to rule out leaving the European Union without a deal and to give parliament a vote on the options to break a deadlock over the way forward. May's deal was roundly rejected by parliament last week and on Monday she set out a proposal to overcome the impasse by seeking further concessions from the EU on a plan to prevent customs checks on the Irish border. Lawmakers will debate and vote on the next steps on January 29, and ahead of that, they can put forward amendments to the government's plan, seeking to shape Britain's exit from the bloc. Labour's amendment seeks to force the government to give parliament time to consider and vote on options to prevent Britain leaving on March 29 without an agreement. Among those options should be a permanent customs union with the EU and a second referendum on Brexit, the party said. "The prime minister is both refusing to change her red lines or take the threat of a no deal exit off the table. MPs (members of parliament) must now act to break the deadlock," Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said in a statement. "Our amendment will allow MPs to vote on options to end this Brexit deadlock and prevent the chaos of a no deal."

UK's Labour seeks to force Theresa May to rule out no-deal Brexit

In pics: What happens after no-confidence vote against Theresa May?

Britain's main opposition Labour Party will do all it can to force the government to bring a vote on Prime Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/theresa-may-survives-confidence-vote-but-her-brexit-deal-is-still-in-deep-trouble-183608">Theresa May</a>'s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/as-brexit-muddles-along-trump-roots-for-a-full-break-184425">Brexit</a> deal to parliament next week, its election coordinator Andrew Gwynne said on Sunday.

Gwynne, who is Labour’s policy chief for communities and local government, told the BBC's Andrew Marr show: "We will be using whatever mechanisms we have at our disposal next week to try and force the government to bring forward that deal for a vote before Christmas."

He did not offer any detail how Labour would try to force the government to bring the vote forward.

Britain's main opposition Labour Party will do all it can to force the government to bring a vote on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal to parliament next week, its election coordinator Andrew Gwynne said on Sunday.

Britain's main opposition Labour Party will do all it can to force the government to bring a vote on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal to parliament next week, its election coordinator Andrew Gwynne said on Sunday. Gwynne, who is Labour’s policy chief for communities and local government, told the BBC's Andrew Marr show: "We will be using whatever mechanisms we have at our disposal next week to try and force the government to bring forward that deal for a vote before Christmas." He did not offer any detail how Labour would try to force the government to bring the vote forward.

Britain's Labour will try to force parliament Brexit vote next week

Voters in London are expected to punish Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party at local government elections this week which could embolden critics of her Brexit strategy, but are not expected to trigger her downfall.

London and some other regions will on Thursday elect the local officials in charge of day-to-day public spending - a vote as much about issues like refuse collection and road repairs as it is about the national debate on immigration and May’s plan to take Britain out of the European Union after a 2016 referendum.

The elections which are seen as a public sentiment and polls&nbsp

The elections are seen as a bellwether of public sentiment and polls show voters are ready to deliver a critical verdict on both May’s leadership and her party’s eight years spent pursuing a policy of public spending cuts to shore up Britain’s finances.

“A government that’s been in power for eight years with an austerity programme is naturally going to suffer at elections,” said Robert Hayward, a former Conservative lawmaker who now sits in parliament’s upper house and specialises in polling analysis.

A YouGov survey published on April 26 gave the opposition Labour Party, led by Jeremy Corbyn, a 22 percentage point lead over the Conservatives in London, putting it on course for its best performance in the capital for 40 years.

Thursday’s vote will come less than a year after a snap parliamentary election splintered the previously rock-solid foundations of May’s position, stripping her party of its majority in a vote she had expected to win easily.

The result of that general election has been a weakened leadership, open dissent among Conservative lawmakers over exiting the EU and a nagging fear for some investors that her government could fall and be replaced by socialist-led Labour.

Thursday will not directly affect May’s practical ability to govern: the vote does not cause seats in parliament to change hands and the slim working majority she has thanks to a deal with a smaller party will be unaffected.

But a below-par performance will embolden critics in her party and could then complicate the already-difficult task of executing her Brexit plan without making concessions to pro-EU factions, such as agreeing to stay in the EU customs union.

“Politicians always look at the last set of election results and by definition they’re going to look at what happens on May 3 and make a judgement on that,” Hayward said.

“It will have an impact on what has to happen in the budget, ‘Do I take a more militant view in relation to the Customs Union, or Brexit, or nurses, or numbers of policemen?’

The key results in London will be Wandsworth and Westminster, both boroughs with a strong Conservative tradition that are now within reach of Labour.

However, anything short of a total Conservative wipeout is not expected to generate renewed calls for her to quit.

Although her party is deeply divided over Brexit, neither the faction that seeks a clean break from the EU nor those who favour a closer relationship have shown an appetite for a leadership contest before Britain has left the bloc.

Low Expectations

Fortunately for May, expectations are low.

London has in recent decades voted more towards Labour, favouring its more liberal policies on immigration and social issues. The Conservatives currently control only eight of 32 boroughs outright.&nbsp

Labour’s surprise surge in popularity under Corbyn, a crucial factor in May 2017’s election flop, was also strongly felt in London. The party won 54.5 per cent of votes in London last year - more than any other party for at least 70 years.

Factor in deep spending cuts overseen by May and her predecessor David Cameron, and the unpopularity of Brexit in a city that voted 60-40 against it - compared with a 52-48 per cent margin in favour nationally, and some of the remaining Conservative strongholds are expected to be under threat.

But the grim outlook leaves room for May to outperform. Polling suggests her handling of a nerve agent attack against a former Russian double agent in England in March and the decision to take military action in Syria has improved her public image.

Conversely, Labour could gain seats and control of boroughs in London but still fail to live up to the huge expectations generated by last summer’s stronger-than-forecast general election result.

“It’s more difficult for Labour to come out of this doing really well than the Tories given how low the expectations are,” said Tony Travers, a professor at the London School of Economics Department of Government.

While May has gained from recent national and international crises, Corbyn has been criticised by opponents and some in his own party for misjudging the public mood in his responses.

The party has also recently found itself bogged down in a high-profile dispute with the Jewish community over what they say is its failure to stamp out anti-Semitism within the party.

That could affect its ability to get control of winnable boroughs like Barnet, which has the highest proportion of Jewish residents in England at 15.5 per cent according to the latest census data.

Nevertheless, polls show Labour will still make gains.

Labour activists say that is continuing evidence of the potency of “the Corbyn Project”, and even if headline gains from the Conservatives do not materialise, they have their eyes on a bigger prize.

“We’ve been treating the whole thing as a bit of a general election dry run, really... refining campaigning techniques and trying to come up with new ones,” said Joseph Todd, a spokesman for the influential pro-Corbyn grassroots campaign group Momentum. “This is the next step for the Corbyn Project.”

London and some other regions will on Thursday elect the local officials in charge of day-to-day public spending - a vote as much about issues like refuse collection and road repairs as it is about the national debate on immigration and May’s plan to take Britain out of the European Union after a 2016 referendum

Voters in London are expected to punish Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservative Party at local government elections this week which could embolden critics of her Brexit strategy, but are not expected to trigger her downfall. London and some other regions will on Thursday elect the local officials in charge of day-to-day public spending - a vote as much about issues like refuse collection and road repairs as it is about the national debate on immigration and May’s plan to take Britain out of the European Union after a 2016 referendum. The elections which are seen as a public sentiment and polls The elections are seen as a bellwether of public sentiment and polls show voters are ready to deliver a critical verdict on both May’s leadership and her party’s eight years spent pursuing a policy of public spending cuts to shore up Britain’s finances. “A government that’s been in power for eight years with an austerity programme is naturally going to suffer at elections,” said Robert Hayward, a former Conservative lawmaker who now sits in parliament’s upper house and specialises in polling analysis. A YouGov survey published on April 26 gave the opposition Labour Party, led by Jeremy Corbyn, a 22 percentage point lead over the Conservatives in London, putting it on course for its best performance in the capital for 40 years. Thursday’s vote will come less than a year after a snap parliamentary election splintered the previously rock-solid foundations of May’s position, stripping her party of its majority in a vote she had expected to win easily. The result of that general election has been a weakened leadership, open dissent among Conservative lawmakers over exiting the EU and a nagging fear for some investors that her government could fall and be replaced by socialist-led Labour. Thursday will not directly affect May’s practical ability to govern: the vote does not cause seats in parliament to change hands and the slim working majority she has thanks to a deal with a smaller party will be unaffected. But a below-par performance will embolden critics in her party and could then complicate the already-difficult task of executing her Brexit plan without making concessions to pro-EU factions, such as agreeing to stay in the EU customs union. “Politicians always look at the last set of election results and by definition they’re going to look at what happens on May 3 and make a judgement on that,” Hayward said. “It will have an impact on what has to happen in the budget, ‘Do I take a more militant view in relation to the Customs Union, or Brexit, or nurses, or numbers of policemen?’ The key results in London will be Wandsworth and Westminster, both boroughs with a strong Conservative tradition that are now within reach of Labour. However, anything short of a total Conservative wipeout is not expected to generate renewed calls for her to quit. Although her party is deeply divided over Brexit, neither the faction that seeks a clean break from the EU nor those who favour a closer relationship have shown an appetite for a leadership contest before Britain has left the bloc. Low Expectations Fortunately for May, expectations are low. London has in recent decades voted more towards Labour, favouring its more liberal policies on immigration and social issues. The Conservatives currently control only eight of 32 boroughs outright. Labour’s surprise surge in popularity under Corbyn, a crucial factor in May 2017’s election flop, was also strongly felt in London. The party won 54.5 per cent of votes in London last year - more than any other party for at least 70 years. Factor in deep spending cuts overseen by May and her predecessor David Cameron, and the unpopularity of Brexit in a city that voted 60-40 against it - compared with a 52-48 per cent margin in favour nationally, and some of the remaining Conservative strongholds are expected to be under threat. But the grim outlook leaves room for May to outperform. Polling suggests her handling of a nerve agent attack against a former Russian double agent in England in March and the decision to take military action in Syria has improved her public image. Conversely, Labour could gain seats and control of boroughs in London but still fail to live up to the huge expectations generated by last summer’s stronger-than-forecast general election result. “It’s more difficult for Labour to come out of this doing really well than the Tories given how low the expectations are,” said Tony Travers, a professor at the London School of Economics Department of Government. While May has gained from recent national and international crises, Corbyn has been criticised by opponents and some in his own party for misjudging the public mood in his responses. The party has also recently found itself bogged down in a high-profile dispute with the Jewish community over what they say is its failure to stamp out anti-Semitism within the party. That could affect its ability to get control of winnable boroughs like Barnet, which has the highest proportion of Jewish residents in England at 15.5 per cent according to the latest census data. Nevertheless, polls show Labour will still make gains. Labour activists say that is continuing evidence of the potency of “the Corbyn Project”, and even if headline gains from the Conservatives do not materialise, they have their eyes on a bigger prize. “We’ve been treating the whole thing as a bit of a general election dry run, really... refining campaigning techniques and trying to come up with new ones,” said Joseph Todd, a spokesman for the influential pro-Corbyn grassroots campaign group Momentum. “This is the next step for the Corbyn Project.”

London elections set to leave British PM May down, but not out

British Prime Minister Theresa May will face criticism on Monday for bypassing parliament to join weekend air strikes against Syria, with some lawmakers calling for a potentially damaging vote on her future strategy. 
 
May, who has regained confidence after winning support for her tough stance on Syria and Russia, will make a statement to parliament on her decision to join the United States and France in Saturday's strikes in retaliation for a suspected gas attack.

She has also requested a so-called emergency debate, which her spokesman presented as an attempt to soothe tensions and offer parliament three more hours to discuss the action. Critics said it was a way to try to stop any "meaningful vote".

"The prime minister has set out very clearly over the weekend her reasons for taking the action... in Syria. Her focus today is on making a statement to parliament, allowing parliament to scrutinise that decision," her spokesman said.

She will repeat Saturday's assertion that Britain is "confident in our own assessment that the Syrian regime was highly likely responsible" and that it could not wait "to alleviate further humanitarian suffering caused by chemical weapons attacks", according to excerpts of her speech.

She has repeatedly said the strikes were "right and legal".

But May will be grilled over why she broke with a convention, which dates back to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, to seek parliamentary approval for the action, a decision that she and her ministers say was driven by the need to act quickly.

Much of the criticism will come from opposition lawmakers, but the prime minister may also have to work hard to defend her speed of action to members of her own Conservative Party who had wanted parliament recalled.

Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, has questioned the legal basis for Britain's involvement.

"She could have recalled parliament last week," Corbyn, a veteran peace campaigner, said on Sunday.

"I think what we need in this country is something more robust, like a War Powers Act, so governments do get held to account by parliament for what they do in our name," he told BBC television.

Britain has said there are no plans for future strikes against Syria. Foreign minister Boris Johnson, in Luxembourg, again said the strikes were not aimed at regime change in Syria, but rather designed to send a message.

Fragile

Corbyn`s drive for legislation to limit the government`s power to launch future military action could win support in parliament, where some Conservatives have expressed fears that the strikes on Syria could worsen the situation.

Many Britons were scarred by the country`s involvement in the Iraq war, especially after an inquiry concluded that then-prime minister Tony Blair`s decision to join the US-led operation was based on flawed intelligence.

In 2013, May`s predecessor, David Cameron, lost a vote on launching air strikes against Assad`s forces.

Citing what he described as a "litany of errors" in Britain`s handling of "previous interventions since 2003 and in Syria", Conservative lawmaker John Baron urged May to "address how she will respond in future to any chemical weapons attacks, and parliament`s role in this process".

Despite winning international backing, May, who has weathered questions over her leadership due to Brexit and party scandals, has a precarious position in parliament after losing the Conservatives` majority in an ill-judged election last June.

She now relies on the support of a small Northern Irish party, which has supported the action in Syria, and has tried to dodge votes that might not go her way.

It was not clear whether Labour or other opposition parties would be able to force an alternative emergency debate, or whether the speaker in the House of Commons would grant what one party source called a "meaningful vote".

But in a sign that the government feels under pressure, one lawmaker said on condition of anonymity that the party`s whips, charged with maintaining voting discipline, had made clear that Conservatives should vote with the government.

Defending May`s decision on Syria, one of her ministers said on Monday only the government had access to the necessary intelligence.

"Outsourcing that decision to people who do not have the full picture is, I think, quite wrong," International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt told BBC radio.

British Prime Minister Theresa May will face criticism on Monday for bypassing parliament to join weekend air strikes against Syria, with some lawmakers calling for a potentially damaging vote on her future strategy

British Prime Minister Theresa May will face criticism on Monday for bypassing parliament to join weekend air strikes against Syria, with some lawmakers calling for a potentially damaging vote on her future strategy. May, who has regained confidence after winning support for her tough stance on Syria and Russia, will make a statement to parliament on her decision to join the United States and France in Saturday's strikes in retaliation for a suspected gas attack. She has also requested a so-called emergency debate, which her spokesman presented as an attempt to soothe tensions and offer parliament three more hours to discuss the action. Critics said it was a way to try to stop any "meaningful vote". "The prime minister has set out very clearly over the weekend her reasons for taking the action... in Syria. Her focus today is on making a statement to parliament, allowing parliament to scrutinise that decision," her spokesman said. She will repeat Saturday's assertion that Britain is "confident in our own assessment that the Syrian regime was highly likely responsible" and that it could not wait "to alleviate further humanitarian suffering caused by chemical weapons attacks", according to excerpts of her speech. She has repeatedly said the strikes were "right and legal". But May will be grilled over why she broke with a convention, which dates back to the 2003 invasion of Iraq, to seek parliamentary approval for the action, a decision that she and her ministers say was driven by the need to act quickly. Much of the criticism will come from opposition lawmakers, but the prime minister may also have to work hard to defend her speed of action to members of her own Conservative Party who had wanted parliament recalled. Jeremy Corbyn, leader of the main opposition Labour Party, has questioned the legal basis for Britain's involvement. "She could have recalled parliament last week," Corbyn, a veteran peace campaigner, said on Sunday. "I think what we need in this country is something more robust, like a War Powers Act, so governments do get held to account by parliament for what they do in our name," he told BBC television. Britain has said there are no plans for future strikes against Syria. Foreign minister Boris Johnson, in Luxembourg, again said the strikes were not aimed at regime change in Syria, but rather designed to send a message. Fragile Corbyn`s drive for legislation to limit the government`s power to launch future military action could win support in parliament, where some Conservatives have expressed fears that the strikes on Syria could worsen the situation. Many Britons were scarred by the country`s involvement in the Iraq war, especially after an inquiry concluded that then-prime minister Tony Blair`s decision to join the US-led operation was based on flawed intelligence. In 2013, May`s predecessor, David Cameron, lost a vote on launching air strikes against Assad`s forces. Citing what he described as a "litany of errors" in Britain`s handling of "previous interventions since 2003 and in Syria", Conservative lawmaker John Baron urged May to "address how she will respond in future to any chemical weapons attacks, and parliament`s role in this process". Despite winning international backing, May, who has weathered questions over her leadership due to Brexit and party scandals, has a precarious position in parliament after losing the Conservatives` majority in an ill-judged election last June. She now relies on the support of a small Northern Irish party, which has supported the action in Syria, and has tried to dodge votes that might not go her way. It was not clear whether Labour or other opposition parties would be able to force an alternative emergency debate, or whether the speaker in the House of Commons would grant what one party source called a "meaningful vote". But in a sign that the government feels under pressure, one lawmaker said on condition of anonymity that the party`s whips, charged with maintaining voting discipline, had made clear that Conservatives should vote with the government. Defending May`s decision on Syria, one of her ministers said on Monday only the government had access to the necessary intelligence. "Outsourcing that decision to people who do not have the full picture is, I think, quite wrong," International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt told BBC radio.

After Syria strikes, Theresa May to face critical parliament

A British author ate his book during a live TV show after his prediction that the opposition Labour party would poll less than 38 per cent votes went wrong.

Matthew Goodwin, 35, a professor of politics at the University of Kent, is the co-author of &#39;Brexit: Why Britain voted to leave the European Union&#39;.

He said in a tweet last month that he did not think Jeremy Corbyn&#39;s Labour party would poll 38 per cent in the general election on June 8. However, the Labour party won 40.3 per cent of the vote.

&quot;I&#39;m saying this out loud. I do not believe that Labour, under Jeremy Corbyn, will poll 38%. I will happily eat my new Brexit book if they do,&quot; he had tweeted.

After the results came in, Goodwin was trolled by Labour supporters for his tweet.

Appearing on Sky News yesterday, he was asked if he is a man of his word, to which he replied: &quot;Well indeed I am. I was surprised that Jeremy Corbyn got two percentage points more than I had expected, and I did say that I would eat this book,&quot; Metro news reported.

&quot;Two percentage points makes a big difference, I am a man of my word, so what I am going to do is just sit here and eat my book, while you guys carry on,&quot; he said as he began eating pages of his book, the report said.

Goodwin scrunched up a piece of paper and uncomfortably shoved it into his mouth and said: &quot;It is actually a hardback, there are lots of chemicals but I have got to get through the whole thing.&quot;

He then gave a slightly sad thumbs up to the camera. Later, a Sky News producer tweeted that Goodwin did not swallow the page he was munching on, the report added.

(PTI)&nbsp;

After underestimating Corbyn's success by 2%, Goodwin delivered on his promise and chewed pages from his Brexit book

A British author ate his book during a live TV show after his prediction that the opposition Labour party would poll less than 38 per cent votes went wrong. Matthew Goodwin, 35, a professor of politics at the University of Kent, is the co-author of 'Brexit: Why Britain voted to leave the European Union'. He said in a tweet last month that he did not think Jeremy Corbyn's Labour party would poll 38 per cent in the general election on June 8. However, the Labour party won 40.3 per cent of the vote. "I'm saying this out loud. I do not believe that Labour, under Jeremy Corbyn, will poll 38%. I will happily eat my new Brexit book if they do," he had tweeted. After the results came in, Goodwin was trolled by Labour supporters for his tweet. Appearing on Sky News yesterday, he was asked if he is a man of his word, to which he replied: "Well indeed I am. I was surprised that Jeremy Corbyn got two percentage points more than I had expected, and I did say that I would eat this book," Metro news reported. "Two percentage points makes a big difference, I am a man of my word, so what I am going to do is just sit here and eat my book, while you guys carry on," he said as he began eating pages of his book, the report said. Goodwin scrunched up a piece of paper and uncomfortably shoved it into his mouth and said: "It is actually a hardback, there are lots of chemicals but I have got to get through the whole thing." He then gave a slightly sad thumbs up to the camera. Later, a Sky News producer tweeted that Goodwin did not swallow the page he was munching on, the report added. (PTI)

Author eats his book on live TV after incorrect UK poll prediction

Britain&#39;s Labour Party on Tuesday promised an independent inquiry into UK&rsquo;s role in Operation Bluestar in its manifesto for the June 8 election.

British special forces were allegedly involved in Operation Bluestar at Amritsar&rsquo;s Golden Temple in 1984.

The manifesto said: &ldquo;Labour remains committed to an independent inquiry into Britain&rsquo;s military role in the 1984 raid on the Golden Temple in Amritsar.&rdquo;

A poster from the Sikh Federation UK issued on Saturday quoted deputy leader of the Labour party Tom Watson as saying, &quot;Many Sikhs in the UK, including in my own constituency were shocked to learn about British involvement in the events leading up to the attack by the Indian army on the Golden Temple complex at Amritsar in 1984. The next Labour government will set up an independent inquiry so that UK Sikhs are given the full truth about what took place. They have already waited for too long for their questions about British involvement to be answered.&quot;

The controversy over UK&rsquo;s role in Operation Bluestar arose when some British documents declassified in January 2014 led to an inquiry by the cabinet secretary.&nbsp;

(WION)

The manifesto said, 'Labour remains committed to an independent inquiry into Britain?s military role in the 1984 raid on the Golden Temple in Amritsar'

Britain's Labour Party on Tuesday promised an independent inquiry into UK’s role in Operation Bluestar in its manifesto for the June 8 election. British special forces were allegedly involved in Operation Bluestar at Amritsar’s Golden Temple in 1984. The manifesto said: “Labour remains committed to an independent inquiry into Britain’s military role in the 1984 raid on the Golden Temple in Amritsar.” A poster from the Sikh Federation UK issued on Saturday quoted deputy leader of the Labour party Tom Watson as saying, "Many Sikhs in the UK, including in my own constituency were shocked to learn about British involvement in the events leading up to the attack by the Indian army on the Golden Temple complex at Amritsar in 1984. The next Labour government will set up an independent inquiry so that UK Sikhs are given the full truth about what took place. They have already waited for too long for their questions about British involvement to be answered." The controversy over UK’s role in Operation Bluestar arose when some British documents declassified in January 2014 led to an inquiry by the cabinet secretary. (WION)

Labour Party promises probe into UK role in Operation Bluestar

Voting will begin today to decide if veteran leftist Jeremy Corbyn will remain leader of Britain&#39;s Labour party, with an ill-tempered campaign deepening divisions that threaten the party&#39;s future. 
 
Ballots and online voting forms were due to be sent to party members, who will have until September 21 to decide whether to replace Corbyn with MP Owen Smith, previously little known outside Westminster. 
 
The 46-year-old triggered the election by declaring his candidacy last month, warning that Corbyn&#39;s leadership was making the possibility of a split in the party &quot;dangerously real&quot;. 
 
Smith, a former member of Corbyn&#39;s top team, is also targeting voters to the left of the party, promising a &quot;socialist revolution&quot;. 
 
&quot;Not some misty-eyed, romantic notion of a revolution where we are going to overthrow capitalism and return to a socialist nirvana... but a cold-eyed, practical socialist revolution where we build a better Britain,&quot; he said last month. 
 
Corbyn, 67, is favourite to stay as leader, retaining the support of most trade unions and many who signed up last year to propel him to a shock win in the leadership election called following the party&#39;s thrashing in the general election. 
 
But he has failed to win over many of the party&#39;s MPs, 80 per cent of whom backed a recent vote of no-confidence in their leader. 
 
Britain&#39;s vote on June 23 to leave the European Union provided the catalyst for the leadership challenge, with many in the party criticising Corbyn&#39;s performance during the campaign. 
 
London mayor slams Corbyn&nbsp; 
 
At a recent debate, Smith accused the veteran socialist of &quot;sloganising&quot; rather than holding the Conservative Party to account, and of failing to campaign hard enough to prevent a vote to leave the EU. 
 
Loud boos, cheers and heckling have characterised many of the debates between the two men while local party meetings have been suspended during the contest due to allegations of intimidation levelled against Corbyn&#39;s supporters, exposing the party&#39;s growing rift. 
 
Some commentators have warned the outcome could even split the party, which grew out of Britain&#39;s trade union movement in the 19th century. 
 
Corbyn has the support of many Labour members, and since February 2015 party membership has surged from 200,000 to 540,000. 
 
He is also backed by Momentum, a mass movement of party members who have turned out in their droves to support him at events around the country in recent days. 
 
However, he received a setback earlier this month when a court ruled that 130,000 new party members who joined in the six months up to July 12 could not vote in the leadership contest. 
 
Labour&#39;s London Mayor Sadiq Khan also delivered a blow on Sunday by declaring his support for Smith. 
 
&quot;Jeremy&#39;s personal ratings are the worst of any opposition leader on record and the Labour party is suffering badly as a result,&quot; Khan wrote in the Observer, the Sunday version of the centre-left Guardian newspaper. 
 
&quot;Jeremy has already proved that he is unable to organise an effective team and has failed to win the trust and respect of the British people,&quot; he added. 
 
Smith appears to be targeting pacifist Corbyn&#39;s grassroots base, causing controversy by calling for the British government to &quot;get round the table&quot; with the Islamic State group. 
 
The result is to be announced on September 24 during a special congress in Liverpool, north-west England. 
 
(Reuters) 
 
&nbsp;

Party members will have until September 21 to decide whether to replace Jeremy Corbyn with MP Owen Smith

Voting will begin today to decide if veteran leftist Jeremy Corbyn will remain leader of Britain's Labour party, with an ill-tempered campaign deepening divisions that threaten the party's future. Ballots and online voting forms were due to be sent to party members, who will have until September 21 to decide whether to replace Corbyn with MP Owen Smith, previously little known outside Westminster. The 46-year-old triggered the election by declaring his candidacy last month, warning that Corbyn's leadership was making the possibility of a split in the party "dangerously real". Smith, a former member of Corbyn's top team, is also targeting voters to the left of the party, promising a "socialist revolution". "Not some misty-eyed, romantic notion of a revolution where we are going to overthrow capitalism and return to a socialist nirvana... but a cold-eyed, practical socialist revolution where we build a better Britain," he said last month. Corbyn, 67, is favourite to stay as leader, retaining the support of most trade unions and many who signed up last year to propel him to a shock win in the leadership election called following the party's thrashing in the general election. But he has failed to win over many of the party's MPs, 80 per cent of whom backed a recent vote of no-confidence in their leader. Britain's vote on June 23 to leave the European Union provided the catalyst for the leadership challenge, with many in the party criticising Corbyn's performance during the campaign. London mayor slams Corbyn At a recent debate, Smith accused the veteran socialist of "sloganising" rather than holding the Conservative Party to account, and of failing to campaign hard enough to prevent a vote to leave the EU. Loud boos, cheers and heckling have characterised many of the debates between the two men while local party meetings have been suspended during the contest due to allegations of intimidation levelled against Corbyn's supporters, exposing the party's growing rift. Some commentators have warned the outcome could even split the party, which grew out of Britain's trade union movement in the 19th century. Corbyn has the support of many Labour members, and since February 2015 party membership has surged from 200,000 to 540,000. He is also backed by Momentum, a mass movement of party members who have turned out in their droves to support him at events around the country in recent days. However, he received a setback earlier this month when a court ruled that 130,000 new party members who joined in the six months up to July 12 could not vote in the leadership contest. Labour's London Mayor Sadiq Khan also delivered a blow on Sunday by declaring his support for Smith. "Jeremy's personal ratings are the worst of any opposition leader on record and the Labour party is suffering badly as a result," Khan wrote in the Observer, the Sunday version of the centre-left Guardian newspaper. "Jeremy has already proved that he is unable to organise an effective team and has failed to win the trust and respect of the British people," he added. Smith appears to be targeting pacifist Corbyn's grassroots base, causing controversy by calling for the British government to "get round the table" with the Islamic State group. The result is to be announced on September 24 during a special congress in Liverpool, north-west England. (Reuters)

Voting to begin in bitter Labour leader contest in UK

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn launched his bid today to remain head of Britain&#39;s biggest opposition party despite bitter divisions that have gone deeper by the Brexit referendum. The veteran socialist has clung on even though three-quarters of the party&#39;s lawmakers say they have lost confidence in his leadership and Welsh MP Owen Smith has launched a challenge to oust him. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s the job, it&#39;s the duty, it&#39;s the responsibility of every Labour MP to get behind the party,&quot; Corbyn said at the start of his leadership campaign. &quot;I hold out the hand of friendship,&quot; he said, addressing &quot;those who may not agree with me politically, may not even like me personally&quot;. 
 
Labour Party members and supporters will vote on Corbyn and Smith by postal ballot over the summer and the result will be announced on September 24. Some commentators have warned the outcome could split the historic Labour Party, which grew out of Britains trade union movement in the 19th century. 
 
The 67-year-old Corbyn is automatically on the ballot as the current leader and he has strong grassroots support but Smith is backed by 162 of the party&#39;s 230 MPs including former leader Ed Miliband. Some 180,000 Labour supporters have signed up to vote in recent days. &quot;We, the Labour party, will be stronger, even stronger, and hopefully even bigger at the end of this campaign,&quot; Corbyn said. 
 
Smith is barely known outside of Westminster and Wales but moderates in the Labour party are hoping he will dethrone Corbyn, who has been heavily criticised for lukewarm campaigning for Britain to stay in the European Union ahead of last month&#39;s referendum. 
 
Corbyn critics, many of them supporters of the more centrist policies of former leader Tony Blair, accuse Corbyn of pursuing a leftist agenda that could keep the party out of power for years. 
 
The 46-year-old Smith, who previously worked as a BBC producer and a lobbyist for pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer, has paid tribute to Corbyn for &quot;helping Labour discover its radical roots&quot; but said the party needed a new generation to take it forward. 
 
(AFP)

Labour Party members and supporters will vote on Corbyn and Smith by postal ballot over the summer

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn launched his bid today to remain head of Britain's biggest opposition party despite bitter divisions that have gone deeper by the Brexit referendum. The veteran socialist has clung on even though three-quarters of the party's lawmakers say they have lost confidence in his leadership and Welsh MP Owen Smith has launched a challenge to oust him. "It's the job, it's the duty, it's the responsibility of every Labour MP to get behind the party," Corbyn said at the start of his leadership campaign. "I hold out the hand of friendship," he said, addressing "those who may not agree with me politically, may not even like me personally". Labour Party members and supporters will vote on Corbyn and Smith by postal ballot over the summer and the result will be announced on September 24. Some commentators have warned the outcome could split the historic Labour Party, which grew out of Britains trade union movement in the 19th century. The 67-year-old Corbyn is automatically on the ballot as the current leader and he has strong grassroots support but Smith is backed by 162 of the party's 230 MPs including former leader Ed Miliband. Some 180,000 Labour supporters have signed up to vote in recent days. "We, the Labour party, will be stronger, even stronger, and hopefully even bigger at the end of this campaign," Corbyn said. Smith is barely known outside of Westminster and Wales but moderates in the Labour party are hoping he will dethrone Corbyn, who has been heavily criticised for lukewarm campaigning for Britain to stay in the European Union ahead of last month's referendum. Corbyn critics, many of them supporters of the more centrist policies of former leader Tony Blair, accuse Corbyn of pursuing a leftist agenda that could keep the party out of power for years. The 46-year-old Smith, who previously worked as a BBC producer and a lobbyist for pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer, has paid tribute to Corbyn for "helping Labour discover its radical roots" but said the party needed a new generation to take it forward. (AFP)

Jeremy Corbyn launches bid to remain UK Labour leader

Former BBC producer Owen Smith will be the sole challenger against veteran socialist Jeremy Corbyn to lead Britain`s opposition Labour Party after registrations for the race closed on Wednesday. 
 
The Welsh MP has portrayed him as a leftist candidate and has praised Corbyn but has faced criticism for his past as a lobbyist for the pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer and his support for the Iraq war. 
 
Another challenger, Angela Eagle, dropped out of the race on Tuesday when it was clear she was short of endorsements from Labour lawmakers to continue. 
 
Corbyn and Smith will now appeal to party members and supporters for their votes and the result will be announced on September 24 at the party conference. 
 
Smith is barely known outside of Westminster and Wales but moderates in the Labour party are hoping he will dethrone the current Labour leader, who has been heavily criticised for lukewarm campaigning in favour of Britain staying in the European Union. 
 
In a statement on his Facebook page, former Labour leader Ed Miliband urged party members to support Smith. 
 
&quot;I believe Owen can build a Labour Party and a country of which we can be proud. But he can`t do it without your help.... It could be the most important political decision you ever make,&quot; Miliband said. 
 
Smith served as Welsh spokesman under Miliband and was made work and pensions spokesman under Corbyn. 
 
The Welsh MP has paid tribute to Corbyn for &quot;helping Labour discover its radical roots&quot; but said the party needed a new generation to take it forward. 
 
Smith also announced he would offer Corbyn the role of party president if he wins. 
 
(AFP) 
&nbsp;

Angela Eagle drops out of race for the top post in UK's Labour party, falls short of endorsements from Labour lawmakers

Former BBC producer Owen Smith will be the sole challenger against veteran socialist Jeremy Corbyn to lead Britain`s opposition Labour Party after registrations for the race closed on Wednesday. The Welsh MP has portrayed him as a leftist candidate and has praised Corbyn but has faced criticism for his past as a lobbyist for the pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer and his support for the Iraq war. Another challenger, Angela Eagle, dropped out of the race on Tuesday when it was clear she was short of endorsements from Labour lawmakers to continue. Corbyn and Smith will now appeal to party members and supporters for their votes and the result will be announced on September 24 at the party conference. Smith is barely known outside of Westminster and Wales but moderates in the Labour party are hoping he will dethrone the current Labour leader, who has been heavily criticised for lukewarm campaigning in favour of Britain staying in the European Union. In a statement on his Facebook page, former Labour leader Ed Miliband urged party members to support Smith. "I believe Owen can build a Labour Party and a country of which we can be proud. But he can`t do it without your help.... It could be the most important political decision you ever make," Miliband said. Smith served as Welsh spokesman under Miliband and was made work and pensions spokesman under Corbyn. The Welsh MP has paid tribute to Corbyn for "helping Labour discover its radical roots" but said the party needed a new generation to take it forward. Smith also announced he would offer Corbyn the role of party president if he wins. (AFP)

Owen Smith challenges Jeremy Corbyn for UK Labour leadership

A second candidate joined the race today to try to unseat Britain&#39;s opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who is battling a party revolt in the wake of the Brexit vote. 
 
&quot;I will stand in this election and I will do the decent thing and fight Jeremy Corbyn on the issues,&quot; Labour lawmaker Owen Smith told the BBC. 
 
He will join fellow MP Angela Eagle in trying to wrest the party leadership from the veteran socialist, who has refused to quit despite a major rebellion by his MPs. 
 
The winner of the contest, which will formally get underway with an announcement of the timetable on Thursday, is expected to be crowned in September. 
 
Smith said he had decided to stand after seeing a &quot;dramatic collapse of faith and confidence in Jeremy&quot; over the last couple of weeks. 
 
Corbyn accused of lacklustre leadership&nbsp; 
 
Many moderate Labour MPs have never reconciled themselves to Corbyn&#39;s election as leader last September, secured thanks to strong support among ordinary party members. 
 
They moved against him in the wake of Britain&#39;s shock June 23 vote to leave the European Union -- an outcome deplored by most of the parliamentary party. 
 
Three-quarters of Labour MPs backed a vote of no confidence in Corbyn on June 28, accusing him of lacklustre leadership in the campaign which culminated with many longtime Labour voters in underprivileged areas defying the party line and backing Brexit. 
 
Many party grandees also fear he would be unable to win a general election if one were called early, although incoming prime minister Theresa May, who takes over from David Cameron later today, has ruled out an early vote. 
 
Late Tuesday, Corbyn won a first victory over his critics after the party&#39;s executive committee ruled he would automatically be included on the leadership ballot. 
 
The decision means that -- unlike his challengers -- he does not need the required 51 nominations from Labour MPs or members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to stand. 
 
Smith was in his teens when joined Labour party&nbsp; 
 
Smith, a former BBC radio producer seen as more centrist than Corbyn, has only been a member of parliament since 2010, representing the Welsh constituency of Pontypridd. 
 
But the 46-year-old has been a member of the Labour party since he was 16, and was special advisor to Paul Murphy, the Labour government minister in charge of Wales and then Northern Ireland, between 2002 and 2005. 
 
After a stint working as a media advisor to pharmaceutical group Pfizer, he became an MP when Labour moved into opposition, and became its spokesman on Welsh affairs. 
 
He appeared in a list of possible candidates to replace outgoing leader Ed Miliband following Labour&#39;s second successive general election defeat last year. 
 
But he did not step forward then and was named shadow work and pensions minister under Corbyn in September 2015. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp; 
 
 
 
 
&nbsp;

Smith will join fellow MP Angela Eagle in bid to wrest party leadership from veteran socialist, who refused to quit despite a major rebel

A second candidate joined the race today to try to unseat Britain's opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who is battling a party revolt in the wake of the Brexit vote. "I will stand in this election and I will do the decent thing and fight Jeremy Corbyn on the issues," Labour lawmaker Owen Smith told the BBC. He will join fellow MP Angela Eagle in trying to wrest the party leadership from the veteran socialist, who has refused to quit despite a major rebellion by his MPs. The winner of the contest, which will formally get underway with an announcement of the timetable on Thursday, is expected to be crowned in September. Smith said he had decided to stand after seeing a "dramatic collapse of faith and confidence in Jeremy" over the last couple of weeks. Corbyn accused of lacklustre leadership Many moderate Labour MPs have never reconciled themselves to Corbyn's election as leader last September, secured thanks to strong support among ordinary party members. They moved against him in the wake of Britain's shock June 23 vote to leave the European Union -- an outcome deplored by most of the parliamentary party. Three-quarters of Labour MPs backed a vote of no confidence in Corbyn on June 28, accusing him of lacklustre leadership in the campaign which culminated with many longtime Labour voters in underprivileged areas defying the party line and backing Brexit. Many party grandees also fear he would be unable to win a general election if one were called early, although incoming prime minister Theresa May, who takes over from David Cameron later today, has ruled out an early vote. Late Tuesday, Corbyn won a first victory over his critics after the party's executive committee ruled he would automatically be included on the leadership ballot. The decision means that -- unlike his challengers -- he does not need the required 51 nominations from Labour MPs or members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to stand. Smith was in his teens when joined Labour party Smith, a former BBC radio producer seen as more centrist than Corbyn, has only been a member of parliament since 2010, representing the Welsh constituency of Pontypridd. But the 46-year-old has been a member of the Labour party since he was 16, and was special advisor to Paul Murphy, the Labour government minister in charge of Wales and then Northern Ireland, between 2002 and 2005. After a stint working as a media advisor to pharmaceutical group Pfizer, he became an MP when Labour moved into opposition, and became its spokesman on Welsh affairs. He appeared in a list of possible candidates to replace outgoing leader Ed Miliband following Labour's second successive general election defeat last year. But he did not step forward then and was named shadow work and pensions minister under Corbyn in September 2015. (AFP)

Power struggle in Labour party heats up, Owen Smith joins race to unseat Corbyn

David Cameron chairs his final cabinet meeting today after six years as Britain`s Prime Minister, with incoming premier Theresa May preparing to form a new government to deliver Brexit.&nbsp; 
 
Cameron&#39;s last full day as the premier came sooner than expected after dramatic twists in the race to replace him led to his swift exit from power less than three weeks after the nation&#39;s seismic vote to quit the European Union (EU). 
 
Home Secretary May, the interior minister, was declared the new leader of the governing centre-right Conservative Party on Monday after junior energy minister Andrea Leadsom, her only remaining challenger for the post, withdrew from the contest. 
 
Next on agenda: Breaking ties with EU&nbsp; 
 
Cameron announced he would step down after leading the failed campaign for Britain to remain in the EU in the June 23 referendum. 
 
May will immediately face questions on when she plans to trigger Article 50 -- the formal procedure for withdrawal from the EU -- which would set a two-year deadline for completing exit negotiations. 
 
While May supported Britain staying in the bloc, she cut a low profile during the referendum campaign and insists she will honour the popular vote, stressing on Monday: &quot;Brexit means Brexit&quot;. 
 
May also noted the need &quot;to negotiate the best deal for Britain in leaving the EU&quot; in brief comments outside parliament. 
 
EU leaders have kept up the pressure on Britain, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel saying late Monday, &quot;The United Kingdom will need to quickly clarify how it wants its ties with the European Union to be in future.&quot; 
 
Cameron was to face MPs in parliament for a final time tomorrow in the weekly Prime Minister&#39;s questions session, before meeting Queen Elizabeth II to tender his resignation to the head of state. 
 
The monarch will call for May, the new leader of the majority party in parliament, to form a fresh government. 
 
May set to become Britain&#39;s &nbsp;second female PM 
 
May will become Britain&#39;s second female Prime Minister after 1980s Conservative titan Margaret Thatcher. 
 
The 59-year-old will have to keep Leave-supporting Conservative heavyweights onside if she is to heal the splits in the party caused by the referendum.The futures of leading pro-Brexit figureheads such as Leadsom, Justice Secretary Michael Gove and former London mayor Boris Johnson hang in the balance. 
 
May will also have to decide whether to keep top figures such as finance minister George Osborne and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in place. 
 
Corbyn faces leadership challenge 
 
Meanwhile, Tuesday was set to be a key date in the history of the main opposition Labour Party, whose embattled leader Jeremy Corbyn -- hugely popular with the party membership -- is facing a leadership challenge after losing the confidence of three quarters of Labour MPs. 
 
The party`s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) was to decide whether Corbyn would require nominations to stand in the contest after the party`s former business spokeswoman Angela Eagle announced her leadership challenge on Monday. 
 
The left-of-centre party&#39;s rulebook is ambiguous on what is required of a sitting leader if challenged. 
 
Corbyn is adamant his name should automatically be on the ballot: he would struggle to get the support of 20 percent of Labour MPs and members of the European Parliament required by Eagle. 
 
Lawyers for Jim Kennedy, a trade union member of the NEC, have written a letter to party general secretary Iain McNicol threatening legal action. 
 
&quot;We put you on the clearest notice that we will be instructed to apply to the High Court for immediate injunctive relief should Jeremy Corbyn`s name not go forward automatically to the ballot,&quot; it said. 
 
Corbyn lost confidence after his perceived half-hearted, lacklustre campaigning for Labour`s position of supporting the EU referendum Remain campaign. 
 
With so many Labour MPs in opposition to their leader, there is a risk of the party splitting if Corbyn makes it on the ballot and secures a repeat of September`s landslide victory. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp;

David Cameron's last full day as British Prime Minister came sooner than expected after dramatic twists in the race to replace him

David Cameron chairs his final cabinet meeting today after six years as Britain`s Prime Minister, with incoming premier Theresa May preparing to form a new government to deliver Brexit. Cameron's last full day as the premier came sooner than expected after dramatic twists in the race to replace him led to his swift exit from power less than three weeks after the nation's seismic vote to quit the European Union (EU). Home Secretary May, the interior minister, was declared the new leader of the governing centre-right Conservative Party on Monday after junior energy minister Andrea Leadsom, her only remaining challenger for the post, withdrew from the contest. Next on agenda: Breaking ties with EU Cameron announced he would step down after leading the failed campaign for Britain to remain in the EU in the June 23 referendum. May will immediately face questions on when she plans to trigger Article 50 -- the formal procedure for withdrawal from the EU -- which would set a two-year deadline for completing exit negotiations. While May supported Britain staying in the bloc, she cut a low profile during the referendum campaign and insists she will honour the popular vote, stressing on Monday: "Brexit means Brexit". May also noted the need "to negotiate the best deal for Britain in leaving the EU" in brief comments outside parliament. EU leaders have kept up the pressure on Britain, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel saying late Monday, "The United Kingdom will need to quickly clarify how it wants its ties with the European Union to be in future." Cameron was to face MPs in parliament for a final time tomorrow in the weekly Prime Minister's questions session, before meeting Queen Elizabeth II to tender his resignation to the head of state. The monarch will call for May, the new leader of the majority party in parliament, to form a fresh government. May set to become Britain's second female PM May will become Britain's second female Prime Minister after 1980s Conservative titan Margaret Thatcher. The 59-year-old will have to keep Leave-supporting Conservative heavyweights onside if she is to heal the splits in the party caused by the referendum.The futures of leading pro-Brexit figureheads such as Leadsom, Justice Secretary Michael Gove and former London mayor Boris Johnson hang in the balance. May will also have to decide whether to keep top figures such as finance minister George Osborne and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond in place. Corbyn faces leadership challenge Meanwhile, Tuesday was set to be a key date in the history of the main opposition Labour Party, whose embattled leader Jeremy Corbyn -- hugely popular with the party membership -- is facing a leadership challenge after losing the confidence of three quarters of Labour MPs. The party`s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) was to decide whether Corbyn would require nominations to stand in the contest after the party`s former business spokeswoman Angela Eagle announced her leadership challenge on Monday. The left-of-centre party's rulebook is ambiguous on what is required of a sitting leader if challenged. Corbyn is adamant his name should automatically be on the ballot: he would struggle to get the support of 20 percent of Labour MPs and members of the European Parliament required by Eagle. Lawyers for Jim Kennedy, a trade union member of the NEC, have written a letter to party general secretary Iain McNicol threatening legal action. "We put you on the clearest notice that we will be instructed to apply to the High Court for immediate injunctive relief should Jeremy Corbyn`s name not go forward automatically to the ballot," it said. Corbyn lost confidence after his perceived half-hearted, lacklustre campaigning for Labour`s position of supporting the EU referendum Remain campaign. With so many Labour MPs in opposition to their leader, there is a risk of the party splitting if Corbyn makes it on the ballot and secures a repeat of September`s landslide victory. (AFP)

Cameron holds last cabinet meet as May prepares to deliver Brexit

Australia&#39;s opposition Labour Party conceded defeat in the federal election today, clearing the way for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to retain power. 
 
Counting of votes in the marathon election continues, but Bill Shorten, the leader of the Labour Party, said the ruling coalition government led by Turnbull would gain enough seats to hold on to power. 
 
&quot;It is clear that Mr Turnbull and his coalition will form a government,&quot; Shorten told a news conference in Melbourne. &quot;Whether it is a minority government or majority government with one or two seats, it is clear they will form the government.&quot; 
 
The coalition has won 74 seats in Parliament. With vote counting continuing into an eighth day, it is expected to win at least two of the five seats that remain in doubt, giving Turnbull the support needed to form a majority government. 
 
Although Turnbull is expected to form a majority government, he is likely to be forced to depend on several independent members to get legislation through the lower house, raising questions about the long-term functioning of his government. 
 
Labour vowed not to unduly disrupt the new Parliament, however. 
 
&quot;Australians have made it clear, with the representatives they have selected, that they expect us to work together,&quot; said Shorten. &quot;I pledge, and I have indicated to Mr Turnbull, that where there is common ground, we work very hard to accomplish it.&quot; 
 
(Reuters) 
 
&nbsp;

The counting of votes continues but party leader says the ruling coalition will gain enough seats to hold on to power

Australia's opposition Labour Party conceded defeat in the federal election today, clearing the way for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to retain power. Counting of votes in the marathon election continues, but Bill Shorten, the leader of the Labour Party, said the ruling coalition government led by Turnbull would gain enough seats to hold on to power. "It is clear that Mr Turnbull and his coalition will form a government," Shorten told a news conference in Melbourne. "Whether it is a minority government or majority government with one or two seats, it is clear they will form the government." The coalition has won 74 seats in Parliament. With vote counting continuing into an eighth day, it is expected to win at least two of the five seats that remain in doubt, giving Turnbull the support needed to form a majority government. Although Turnbull is expected to form a majority government, he is likely to be forced to depend on several independent members to get legislation through the lower house, raising questions about the long-term functioning of his government. Labour vowed not to unduly disrupt the new Parliament, however. "Australians have made it clear, with the representatives they have selected, that they expect us to work together," said Shorten. "I pledge, and I have indicated to Mr Turnbull, that where there is common ground, we work very hard to accomplish it." (Reuters)

Australia's opposition Labour Party concedes defeat in national poll

Australia&#39;s two major parties have so far failed to win a majority in the 150-seat House of Representatives to rule outright after national elections on Saturday with a result not likely for several days. 
 
Here are some facts explaining the current situation: 
 
The Australian electoral commission has counted less than 80 per cent of the ballots. Millions of postal and absentee votes are still being processed, with counting to re-commence on Tuesday after they are packaged up and returned to each electoral district. 
 
This is the earliest a result could emerge, but it may take weeks. 
 
If neither of the two main players, the Liberal/National coalition or Labour, wins 76 or more lower house seats, there will be a hung Parliament. 
 
A hung Parliament is where no single political party has a majority in the lower House of Representatives. This last occurred in 2010 when the Centre-Left Labour party of Julia Gillard formed the first minority government since World War II with the support of independents. 
 
Experts say hung Parliaments can be brittle and sometimes do not last the three-year full term. 
 
The prospect of a hung Parliament has shone a spotlight on potential kingmakers, independents and politicians from minor parties, who have won lower house seats, and whose support may be needed for a government to be formed. So far there are five. 
 
It potentially makes them very powerful, with the government likely to offers deals to form an alliance, or offer support for their minority agendas to get them onside. 
&nbsp; 
Bob Katter is an independent MP and a maverick rural politician who supported the Liberal/National coalition when they were in opposition in 2010 and is open to working with them again. 
 
Another independent, senator Nick Xenophon, recently established his own party which has secured a seat through candidate Rebekha Sharkie. Xenophon is a centrist and anti-gambling campaigner and has said he is open to negotiation. 
 
The Greens have one representative in Adam Bandt and could potentially have another. Both the Liberals and Labour have previously ruled out forming a multi-party government with them, but they may now have no choice. The Greens said it was &quot;inconceivable&quot; they could form government with the conservative coalition. 
 
Cathy McGowan, a farmer and former teacher, and Andrew Wilkie, a ex-intelligence officer, are both independents and have declared they have no intention of helping any of the major players form government. 
 
Canberra called a &quot;double-dissolution&quot; poll to force all senators to face election at the same time after gridlock in the upper house when the government tried to pass legislation. 
 
But forecasts point to more independent and minor party senators being elected than before, causing further headaches for the government, which will need the support of some of them to introduce laws. 
 
The Greens are set to get nine seats, with up to three for Xenophon`s party, while anti-immigration firebrand Pauline Hanson is tipped to secure one to two. 
 
Five other seats are currently projected to go to other independents including Jacqui Lambie, an outspoken former soldier who has campaigned against face coverings, and a long-time journalist and broadcaster Derryn Hinch, known as the &quot;human headline&quot;. 
 
(AFP)

If neither the Liberal/National coalition or Labour wins 76 or more lower house seats, there will be a hung Parliament

Australia's two major parties have so far failed to win a majority in the 150-seat House of Representatives to rule outright after national elections on Saturday with a result not likely for several days. Here are some facts explaining the current situation: The Australian electoral commission has counted less than 80 per cent of the ballots. Millions of postal and absentee votes are still being processed, with counting to re-commence on Tuesday after they are packaged up and returned to each electoral district. This is the earliest a result could emerge, but it may take weeks. If neither of the two main players, the Liberal/National coalition or Labour, wins 76 or more lower house seats, there will be a hung Parliament. A hung Parliament is where no single political party has a majority in the lower House of Representatives. This last occurred in 2010 when the Centre-Left Labour party of Julia Gillard formed the first minority government since World War II with the support of independents. Experts say hung Parliaments can be brittle and sometimes do not last the three-year full term. The prospect of a hung Parliament has shone a spotlight on potential kingmakers, independents and politicians from minor parties, who have won lower house seats, and whose support may be needed for a government to be formed. So far there are five. It potentially makes them very powerful, with the government likely to offers deals to form an alliance, or offer support for their minority agendas to get them onside. Bob Katter is an independent MP and a maverick rural politician who supported the Liberal/National coalition when they were in opposition in 2010 and is open to working with them again. Another independent, senator Nick Xenophon, recently established his own party which has secured a seat through candidate Rebekha Sharkie. Xenophon is a centrist and anti-gambling campaigner and has said he is open to negotiation. The Greens have one representative in Adam Bandt and could potentially have another. Both the Liberals and Labour have previously ruled out forming a multi-party government with them, but they may now have no choice. The Greens said it was "inconceivable" they could form government with the conservative coalition. Cathy McGowan, a farmer and former teacher, and Andrew Wilkie, a ex-intelligence officer, are both independents and have declared they have no intention of helping any of the major players form government. Canberra called a "double-dissolution" poll to force all senators to face election at the same time after gridlock in the upper house when the government tried to pass legislation. But forecasts point to more independent and minor party senators being elected than before, causing further headaches for the government, which will need the support of some of them to introduce laws. The Greens are set to get nine seats, with up to three for Xenophon`s party, while anti-immigration firebrand Pauline Hanson is tipped to secure one to two. Five other seats are currently projected to go to other independents including Jacqui Lambie, an outspoken former soldier who has campaigned against face coverings, and a long-time journalist and broadcaster Derryn Hinch, known as the "human headline". (AFP)

What happens next in Australian elections?

Australia was in political limbo today after voters failed to hand Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull the stability he craved in calling an election, with the nation instead facing the prospect of a hung Parliament. 
 
The former banker went to the polls early looking to shore up support and deliver a strong government based on a &quot;jobs and growth&quot; agenda after ousting fellow Liberal Tony Abbott in a party coup last September to become the country`s fourth leader in recent years. 
 
But he now faces the prospect of having to deal with independents and minor parties to stay in power after a near 3 per cent swing away from the government. 
 
After a host of postal votes were added to running totals today, his Liberal/National coalition had 65 seats to Labour&#39;s 67, the Greens one and independents four, results showed. 
 
That leaves 13 seats still too close to call with 76 needed to rule outright in the 150-seat House of Representatives. 
 
A final outcome is not expected until Tuesday with millions of postal and absentee votes yet to be processed, with experts saying these traditionally favour the incumbent. 
 
Despite a host of coalition MPs being dumped, Turnbull was confident when he addressed supporters in Sydney today morning. 
&quot;Based on the advice I have from the party officials, we can have every confidence that we will form a coalition majority government,&quot; the 61-year-old said. 
 
In a defiant speech, he accused the centre-left Labour of running a scare campaign about the public healthcare system and said he would seek to unite Australians. 
 
&quot;The election is over. Only the counting remains. And now is the time to unite in Australia`s aid, in Australia&#39;s service to ensure that we can have truly the very best years for our country ahead of us.&quot;Turnbull had campaigned on tough asylum-seeker policies and a plan to hold a plebiscite on gay marriage, but mostly on reinforcing his economic credentials as the country transitions from a mining investment boom to a more diversified economy. 
 
He also used the instability sparked by Britain&#39;s shock vote to leave the European Union to warn that Australia must have &quot;calm heads, steady hands and a strong economic plan&quot;. 
 
But polls and the official #ausvotes Twitter feed showed healthcare, followed by the economy, education and housing affordability, topped voters` concerns. 
 
Opposition leader Bill Shorten tapped into this, focusing his last days of campaigning on health which helped Labor bounce back strongly after being thumped by the conservatives at the last election in 2013. 
 
&quot;Whatever happens, whether we are in government or in opposition, the Labour Party is re-energised, it is unified and it is more determined than ever,&quot; he told cheering supporters in Melbourne. 
 
&quot;And we promise the Australian people that from government or indeed opposition we will save (public healthcare service) Medicare.&quot; 
 
Shorten had claimed the government was planning to privatise parts of Medicare, which Turnbull said was &quot;an extraordinarily dishonest scare campaign&quot;. 
 
Turnbull called the election not just to shore up support but because crossbenchers -- politicians who are independent or from minor parties -- held the balance of power in the upper house Senate. 
 
They had failed to pass deadlocked legislation to overhaul unions, which provided the trigger for a double dissolution of parliament, where all seats in the upper and lower houses are contested. 
 
But even if he manages to form government, there is no guarantee the new Senate will be more amenable. 
 
Votes are yet to be finalised but the likes of One Nation`s Pauline Hanson, who once claimed Asians were in danger of swamping the country, is expected to be elected to the upper house. 
 
She looks likely to be joined by a host of other unconventional candidates, including long-time journalist and broadcaster Derryn Hinch, known as the &quot;human headline&quot;, who campaigned on justice for the victims of criminals. 
 
(AFP)

Australia may face the prospect of a hung Parliament after voters failed to provide the stability Prime Minister Malcom Turnbull craved

Australia was in political limbo today after voters failed to hand Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull the stability he craved in calling an election, with the nation instead facing the prospect of a hung Parliament. The former banker went to the polls early looking to shore up support and deliver a strong government based on a "jobs and growth" agenda after ousting fellow Liberal Tony Abbott in a party coup last September to become the country`s fourth leader in recent years. But he now faces the prospect of having to deal with independents and minor parties to stay in power after a near 3 per cent swing away from the government. After a host of postal votes were added to running totals today, his Liberal/National coalition had 65 seats to Labour's 67, the Greens one and independents four, results showed. That leaves 13 seats still too close to call with 76 needed to rule outright in the 150-seat House of Representatives. A final outcome is not expected until Tuesday with millions of postal and absentee votes yet to be processed, with experts saying these traditionally favour the incumbent. Despite a host of coalition MPs being dumped, Turnbull was confident when he addressed supporters in Sydney today morning. "Based on the advice I have from the party officials, we can have every confidence that we will form a coalition majority government," the 61-year-old said. In a defiant speech, he accused the centre-left Labour of running a scare campaign about the public healthcare system and said he would seek to unite Australians. "The election is over. Only the counting remains. And now is the time to unite in Australia`s aid, in Australia's service to ensure that we can have truly the very best years for our country ahead of us."Turnbull had campaigned on tough asylum-seeker policies and a plan to hold a plebiscite on gay marriage, but mostly on reinforcing his economic credentials as the country transitions from a mining investment boom to a more diversified economy. He also used the instability sparked by Britain's shock vote to leave the European Union to warn that Australia must have "calm heads, steady hands and a strong economic plan". But polls and the official #ausvotes Twitter feed showed healthcare, followed by the economy, education and housing affordability, topped voters` concerns. Opposition leader Bill Shorten tapped into this, focusing his last days of campaigning on health which helped Labor bounce back strongly after being thumped by the conservatives at the last election in 2013. "Whatever happens, whether we are in government or in opposition, the Labour Party is re-energised, it is unified and it is more determined than ever," he told cheering supporters in Melbourne. "And we promise the Australian people that from government or indeed opposition we will save (public healthcare service) Medicare." Shorten had claimed the government was planning to privatise parts of Medicare, which Turnbull said was "an extraordinarily dishonest scare campaign". Turnbull called the election not just to shore up support but because crossbenchers -- politicians who are independent or from minor parties -- held the balance of power in the upper house Senate. They had failed to pass deadlocked legislation to overhaul unions, which provided the trigger for a double dissolution of parliament, where all seats in the upper and lower houses are contested. But even if he manages to form government, there is no guarantee the new Senate will be more amenable. Votes are yet to be finalised but the likes of One Nation`s Pauline Hanson, who once claimed Asians were in danger of swamping the country, is expected to be elected to the upper house. She looks likely to be joined by a host of other unconventional candidates, including long-time journalist and broadcaster Derryn Hinch, known as the "human headline", who campaigned on justice for the victims of criminals. (AFP)

Australia in political limbo after voters punish government

Britain&#39;s two main political parties were embroiled in leadership battles today to decide who will lead the country through turbulent times in the wake of a vote to leave the European Union. 
 
Interior minister Theresa May, who had been a low-key supporter of remaining in the bloc, announced her bid to succeed Prime Minister David Cameron after he resigned in the wake of the referendum. 
 
&quot;Following last week&#39;s referendum, our country needs strong, proven leadership to steer us through this period of economic and political uncertainty, and to negotiate the best possible terms as we leave the European Union,&quot; May wrote in The Times newspaper. 
 
The 69-year-old&#39;s main rival for the Conservative leadership, the mop-haired former mayor of London and prominent &quot;Leave&quot; campaigner Boris Johnson, is expected to launch his campaign today. 
 
Challengers have until 1100 GMT to declare. Work and pensions minister Stephen Crabb and right-wing former defence minister Liam Fox are also expected to run. 
 
Cameron has left to his successor the task of renegotiating Britain&#39;s relationship with the EU following an exit vote that has roiled the markets, sunk the pound, and prompted economists to slash their growth forecasts for the country. 
 
The next Conservative party leader will take over by early September and will face a decision on whether to seek an election to gain a public mandate. 
 
But Britain is also under pressure from the EU not to delay starting the formal notification of leaving the bloc, Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. 
 
European leaders, keen not to encourage burgeoning anti-EU movements across the continent, have warned that Britain will not be able to pick and choose the cosiest terms of divorce. 
 
Britain&#39;s main opposition party Labour has also been thrown into turmoil by the vote, as lawmakers moved in its aftermath to oust left-wing leader Jeremy Corbyn in a slow-motion revolt. 
 
Senior lawmaker Angela Eagle is expected to announce a leadership challenge to Corbyn, who has refused to resign despite losing a confidence vote by MPs. 
 
Corbyn, 67, has been criticised for making a lacklustre bid for Britain to remain in the EU, and even insinuations from former allies that he harboured eurosceptic feelings himself. 
 
At a rally at a London university on Wednesday, a heckler called out &quot;What about Europe, Jeremy? Where were you when we needed you?&quot; before being drowned out by booing. 
 
&quot;We`re in the midst of a very interesting political time in this country. I was very honoured to be elected to lead the Labour party last year,&quot; Corbyn told the cheering young activists who form his support base. 
 
&quot;The mandate was given by hundreds of thousands of ordinary people... I`m very proud to be carrying on with that work.&quot; 
 
Though Labour lawmakers passed a vote of no confidence against him by 172 to 40, Corbyn insists he still has the support of the party membership and will fight any leadership challenge he sees as a plot by the more right-wing elements of his party. 
 
The former pensions minister Eagle quit as Corbyn`s business spokeswoman earlier this week in one of a string of resignations. 
 
The ructions in both parties were splashed across today&#39;s front pages. 
 
&quot;Now it`s civil war&quot; declared the Daily Mirror, a historically Labour-supporting newspaper, with a photograph of Corbyn. 
 
&quot;Boris: I want to be your PM&quot; read the eurosceptic Daily Express, while The Times read &quot;May: I will reunite Britain&quot;. 
 
May has a record as a hardliner on immigration, a driving issue in the EU referendum which was presented by &quot;Leave&quot; campaigners as an opportunity to reduce the numbers arriving in Britain. 
 
Following through with that promise could prove a challenge. 
 
EU president Donald Tusk warned Wednesday that if Britain wanted access to the bloc`s huge single market of 500 million people, it would have to accept the free movement of EU citizens. 
 
(AFP)

Boris Johnson is expected to announce his candidacy today, Theresa May has already announced her's

Britain's two main political parties were embroiled in leadership battles today to decide who will lead the country through turbulent times in the wake of a vote to leave the European Union. Interior minister Theresa May, who had been a low-key supporter of remaining in the bloc, announced her bid to succeed Prime Minister David Cameron after he resigned in the wake of the referendum. "Following last week's referendum, our country needs strong, proven leadership to steer us through this period of economic and political uncertainty, and to negotiate the best possible terms as we leave the European Union," May wrote in The Times newspaper. The 69-year-old's main rival for the Conservative leadership, the mop-haired former mayor of London and prominent "Leave" campaigner Boris Johnson, is expected to launch his campaign today. Challengers have until 1100 GMT to declare. Work and pensions minister Stephen Crabb and right-wing former defence minister Liam Fox are also expected to run. Cameron has left to his successor the task of renegotiating Britain's relationship with the EU following an exit vote that has roiled the markets, sunk the pound, and prompted economists to slash their growth forecasts for the country. The next Conservative party leader will take over by early September and will face a decision on whether to seek an election to gain a public mandate. But Britain is also under pressure from the EU not to delay starting the formal notification of leaving the bloc, Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. European leaders, keen not to encourage burgeoning anti-EU movements across the continent, have warned that Britain will not be able to pick and choose the cosiest terms of divorce. Britain's main opposition party Labour has also been thrown into turmoil by the vote, as lawmakers moved in its aftermath to oust left-wing leader Jeremy Corbyn in a slow-motion revolt. Senior lawmaker Angela Eagle is expected to announce a leadership challenge to Corbyn, who has refused to resign despite losing a confidence vote by MPs. Corbyn, 67, has been criticised for making a lacklustre bid for Britain to remain in the EU, and even insinuations from former allies that he harboured eurosceptic feelings himself. At a rally at a London university on Wednesday, a heckler called out "What about Europe, Jeremy? Where were you when we needed you?" before being drowned out by booing. "We`re in the midst of a very interesting political time in this country. I was very honoured to be elected to lead the Labour party last year," Corbyn told the cheering young activists who form his support base. "The mandate was given by hundreds of thousands of ordinary people... I`m very proud to be carrying on with that work." Though Labour lawmakers passed a vote of no confidence against him by 172 to 40, Corbyn insists he still has the support of the party membership and will fight any leadership challenge he sees as a plot by the more right-wing elements of his party. The former pensions minister Eagle quit as Corbyn`s business spokeswoman earlier this week in one of a string of resignations. The ructions in both parties were splashed across today's front pages. "Now it`s civil war" declared the Daily Mirror, a historically Labour-supporting newspaper, with a photograph of Corbyn. "Boris: I want to be your PM" read the eurosceptic Daily Express, while The Times read "May: I will reunite Britain". May has a record as a hardliner on immigration, a driving issue in the EU referendum which was presented by "Leave" campaigners as an opportunity to reduce the numbers arriving in Britain. Following through with that promise could prove a challenge. EU president Donald Tusk warned Wednesday that if Britain wanted access to the bloc`s huge single market of 500 million people, it would have to accept the free movement of EU citizens. (AFP)

War of the British succession

Britain&#39;s opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn told more than 1,000 of his supporters to &quot;stand together&quot; on Monday, as he faces a no-confidence motion after almost all his policy team withdrew their support for him in protest after Britons voted to leave the European Union (EU).&nbsp; 
 
The noisy rally took place outside parliament where his party were meeting to discuss the no-confidence vote in Corbyn&#39;s leadership. After the meeting, Corbyn addressed his supporters, not directly mentioning the ongoing drama within his party. 
 
Corbyn has vowed to fight to retain control of Labour, resisting pressure to quit over what critics say was his lacklustre effort to keep Britain inside the European Union. 
 
Labour&#39;s Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and newly appointed Shadow Health Secretary Diane Abbott reaffirmed their support for Corbyn at the rally. 
 
The no-confidence motion is due to be voted on at a secret ballot on Tuesday, although it is not enough on its own to trigger a leadership contest -- something that requires 51 lawmakers to nominate a rival candidate. 
 
Corbyn was elected party leader last year on a surprise wave of grassroots enthusiasm for his left-wing agenda and promise of a new approach to politics. But his relationship with Labour&#39;s elected lawmakers has always been fragile, with many questioning whether the party could win an election on such a ticket. 
 
(Reuters)&nbsp;

Almost all of his policy team has withdrawn their support for him

Britain's opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn told more than 1,000 of his supporters to "stand together" on Monday, as he faces a no-confidence motion after almost all his policy team withdrew their support for him in protest after Britons voted to leave the European Union (EU). The noisy rally took place outside parliament where his party were meeting to discuss the no-confidence vote in Corbyn's leadership. After the meeting, Corbyn addressed his supporters, not directly mentioning the ongoing drama within his party. Corbyn has vowed to fight to retain control of Labour, resisting pressure to quit over what critics say was his lacklustre effort to keep Britain inside the European Union. Labour's Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and newly appointed Shadow Health Secretary Diane Abbott reaffirmed their support for Corbyn at the rally. The no-confidence motion is due to be voted on at a secret ballot on Tuesday, although it is not enough on its own to trigger a leadership contest -- something that requires 51 lawmakers to nominate a rival candidate. Corbyn was elected party leader last year on a surprise wave of grassroots enthusiasm for his left-wing agenda and promise of a new approach to politics. But his relationship with Labour's elected lawmakers has always been fragile, with many questioning whether the party could win an election on such a ticket. (Reuters)

Corbyn faces no-confidence motion today, tells supporters to ?stand together?

Heidi Alexander, who resigned as health policy chief for Britain&#39;s opposition Labour Party today, said she expected several of her colleagues in party leader Jeremy Corbyn&#39;s top team to do the same. 
 
The party is in open conflict following Britain`s vote to leave the European Union on Thursday. Labour&#39;s widely respected foreign policy chief Hilary Benn was sacked earlier after saying he had lost confidence in Corbyn. 
 
&quot;I think that there are a fair number,&quot; Alexander told ITV television in response to a question about how many of her colleagues she expected to resign. 
 
&quot;I know from the conversations that I&#39;ve had with colleagues that this is a very difficult time for all of us. It&#39;s not a decision that we want to take but some of the time you do have to take tough decisions in politics and so I know a lot of my colleagues will be asking themselves similar questions to the one I&#39;ve asked myself this morning.&quot; 
 
(Reuters)

Labour's widely respected foreign policy chief Hilary Benn was sacked earlier after saying he had lost confidence in party leader Corbyn

Heidi Alexander, who resigned as health policy chief for Britain's opposition Labour Party today, said she expected several of her colleagues in party leader Jeremy Corbyn's top team to do the same. The party is in open conflict following Britain`s vote to leave the European Union on Thursday. Labour's widely respected foreign policy chief Hilary Benn was sacked earlier after saying he had lost confidence in Corbyn. "I think that there are a fair number," Alexander told ITV television in response to a question about how many of her colleagues she expected to resign. "I know from the conversations that I've had with colleagues that this is a very difficult time for all of us. It's not a decision that we want to take but some of the time you do have to take tough decisions in politics and so I know a lot of my colleagues will be asking themselves similar questions to the one I've asked myself this morning." (Reuters)

'Fair number' of UK Labour policy chiefs to resign: Heidi Alexander

Britain&#39;s opposition Labour party plunged into turmoil today and the prospect of Scottish independence drew closer, ahead of a showdown with EU leaders over the country&#39;s seismic vote to leave the bloc. 
 
Two days after Prime Minister David Cameron resigned over his failure to keep Britain in the European Union, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn faced a revolt by his lawmakers who called for him, too, to quit. 
 
US secretary of state John Kerry will also fly first to Brussels and then on to London on Monday, amid dismay in Washington over Britain&#39;s decision. 
 
European leaders have called for a swift divorce amid fears of a domino-effect of exit votes in eurosceptic member states that could imperil the integrity of the 28-country alliance. 
 
Britain&#39;s political world is in disarray, while two new polls today showed a surge in support for independence in Scotland, where voters defied the national mood and chose to stay in the EU. 
 
European leaders meet on Monday to discuss the result, which wiped $2.1 trillion from global equity markets Friday amid fears of a new threat to the global economy. 
 
German Chancellor Angela Merkel will host French President Francois Hollande, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and EU President Donald Tusk for talks in Berlin. 
 
Cameron is then due to attend a summit of EU leaders on Tuesday to explain Britain&#39;s decision. 
 
Britons cast aside warnings of isolation and economic disaster to vote 52 percent to 48 percent in favour of quitting the EU in Thursday&#39;s referendum. 
 
The historic vote, fought on the battlefronts of the economy and immigration, exposed deep divisions in the country that politicians are scrambling to respond to. 
 
Cameron has said he will stay on until a successor is found from within his governing Conservative party, which could take until October, at which point the new prime minister will launch the EU exit negotiations. 
 
But EU foreign ministers on Saturday urged Britain not to delay, with France&#39;s Jean-Marc Ayrault directly calling on Cameron to go quickly. 
 
&quot;A new prime minister must be designated, that will take a few days but there is a certain urgency,&quot; he told AFP. 
 
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Britain&#39;s exit talks should not &quot;drag on forever&quot; but said that until they were completed, Britain would remain a fully-fledged EU member. 
 
&quot;There is no reason to be nasty in the negotiations. We have to follow the rules of the game,&quot; she said. 
 
Labour revolt 
 
Likely candidates to succeed Cameron, including Brexit campaigner and former London mayor Boris Johnson, began sounding out support over the weekend. 
 
The referendum decision has also lit a fuse under disgruntled members of the Labour party, many of whom have been unhappy with Corbyn&#39;s leadership since he took office last September. 
 
Support for leaving the European Union was strong across northern England, the Midlands and Wales, including many areas that traditional vote Labour. 
 
The party leadership had campaigned to stay in the EU, but critics accuse Corbyn of failing to reach out to working-class voters drawn in by the &quot;Leave&quot; camp&#39;s anti-establishment rhetoric. 
 
After a symbolic vote of no confidence on Friday against Corbyn, he sacked foreign affairs spokesman Hilary Benn late Saturday for challenging his leadership. 
 
Hours later, health spokeswoman Heidi Alexander quit, and media reports suggested several other colleagues were poised to join her.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;I do not believe you have the capacity to shape the answers our country is demanding,&quot; Alexander wrote in her resignation letter. 
 
But allies of the veteran socialist said he had no plans to step down. &quot;He&#39;s not going anywhere,&quot; finance spokesman John McDonnell told BBC television. 
 
The motion of no confidence is expected to be discussed at a meeting of the parliamentary Labour party on Monday. 
 
Any challenger would need the support of 20 percent of the party&#39;s 229 MPs and it would then be put to party members. 
 
Boost for Scottish independence&nbsp; 
 
As Westminster politicians bickered, Scotland appeared to be moving closer towards independence, just two years after they voted by 55 per cent to stay in the UK. 
 
&quot;The UK that Scotland voted to stay in in 2014 does not exist any more,&quot; First Minister and Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon told BBC television Sunday. 
 
Scots had defied the national trend and voted to remain in the European Union, and the prospect of being taken out against their will has boosted the nationalist cause. 
 
Two polls today support for independence at 59 percent and 52 percent respectively. 
 
Sturgeon has said a second independence referendum was now &quot;highly likely&quot;, and a meeting of her cabinet on Saturday agreed to start drawing up the necessary legislation. 
 
&quot;This is not going to be a re-run of the 2014 referendum. The context and the circumstances have changed dramatically,&quot; she told the BBC. 
 
Across Britain, more than three million Britons signed up to a rapidly-growing petition on an official government website pleading for a new vote. 
 
The number of signatories far surpassed the 100,000 required for a proposal to be discussed in the House of Commons. A committee will consider the motion on Tuesday.&nbsp; 
 
(AFP)

Scots defied the national mood and voted to stay on in EU. The 'leave' sentiment was strong in northern England, Midlands and Wales

Britain's opposition Labour party plunged into turmoil today and the prospect of Scottish independence drew closer, ahead of a showdown with EU leaders over the country's seismic vote to leave the bloc. Two days after Prime Minister David Cameron resigned over his failure to keep Britain in the European Union, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn faced a revolt by his lawmakers who called for him, too, to quit. US secretary of state John Kerry will also fly first to Brussels and then on to London on Monday, amid dismay in Washington over Britain's decision. European leaders have called for a swift divorce amid fears of a domino-effect of exit votes in eurosceptic member states that could imperil the integrity of the 28-country alliance. Britain's political world is in disarray, while two new polls today showed a surge in support for independence in Scotland, where voters defied the national mood and chose to stay in the EU. European leaders meet on Monday to discuss the result, which wiped $2.1 trillion from global equity markets Friday amid fears of a new threat to the global economy. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will host French President Francois Hollande, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and EU President Donald Tusk for talks in Berlin. Cameron is then due to attend a summit of EU leaders on Tuesday to explain Britain's decision. Britons cast aside warnings of isolation and economic disaster to vote 52 percent to 48 percent in favour of quitting the EU in Thursday's referendum. The historic vote, fought on the battlefronts of the economy and immigration, exposed deep divisions in the country that politicians are scrambling to respond to. Cameron has said he will stay on until a successor is found from within his governing Conservative party, which could take until October, at which point the new prime minister will launch the EU exit negotiations. But EU foreign ministers on Saturday urged Britain not to delay, with France's Jean-Marc Ayrault directly calling on Cameron to go quickly. "A new prime minister must be designated, that will take a few days but there is a certain urgency," he told AFP. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Britain's exit talks should not "drag on forever" but said that until they were completed, Britain would remain a fully-fledged EU member. "There is no reason to be nasty in the negotiations. We have to follow the rules of the game," she said. Labour revolt Likely candidates to succeed Cameron, including Brexit campaigner and former London mayor Boris Johnson, began sounding out support over the weekend. The referendum decision has also lit a fuse under disgruntled members of the Labour party, many of whom have been unhappy with Corbyn's leadership since he took office last September. Support for leaving the European Union was strong across northern England, the Midlands and Wales, including many areas that traditional vote Labour. The party leadership had campaigned to stay in the EU, but critics accuse Corbyn of failing to reach out to working-class voters drawn in by the "Leave" camp's anti-establishment rhetoric. After a symbolic vote of no confidence on Friday against Corbyn, he sacked foreign affairs spokesman Hilary Benn late Saturday for challenging his leadership. Hours later, health spokeswoman Heidi Alexander quit, and media reports suggested several other colleagues were poised to join her. "I do not believe you have the capacity to shape the answers our country is demanding," Alexander wrote in her resignation letter. But allies of the veteran socialist said he had no plans to step down. "He's not going anywhere," finance spokesman John McDonnell told BBC television. The motion of no confidence is expected to be discussed at a meeting of the parliamentary Labour party on Monday. Any challenger would need the support of 20 percent of the party's 229 MPs and it would then be put to party members. Boost for Scottish independence As Westminster politicians bickered, Scotland appeared to be moving closer towards independence, just two years after they voted by 55 per cent to stay in the UK. "The UK that Scotland voted to stay in in 2014 does not exist any more," First Minister and Scottish National Party leader Nicola Sturgeon told BBC television Sunday. Scots had defied the national trend and voted to remain in the European Union, and the prospect of being taken out against their will has boosted the nationalist cause. Two polls today support for independence at 59 percent and 52 percent respectively. Sturgeon has said a second independence referendum was now "highly likely", and a meeting of her cabinet on Saturday agreed to start drawing up the necessary legislation. "This is not going to be a re-run of the 2014 referendum. The context and the circumstances have changed dramatically," she told the BBC. Across Britain, more than three million Britons signed up to a rapidly-growing petition on an official government website pleading for a new vote. The number of signatories far surpassed the 100,000 required for a proposal to be discussed in the House of Commons. A committee will consider the motion on Tuesday. (AFP)

UK's split with EU boosts Scottish nationalists

Seven members of Britain&#39;s opposition Labour Party said on Sunday they had withdrawn support for the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, plunging the party into crisis in the wake of Britain&#39;s vote to leave the European Union. 
 
Corbyn sacked Hilary Benn as Labour&#39;s foreign policy chief today after he said he had lost confidence in the leadership. Gloria de Piero, Heidi Alexander, Lucy Powell and Ian Murray all announced they were withdrawing support and stepping down from Corbyn&#39;s &#39;shadow cabinet&#39;. 
 
Sky News television reported that Lilian Greenwood and Kerry Mccarthy had also resigned. 
 
Several said in statements that they doubted Corbyn&#39;s ability to lead the party to victory in the country&#39;s next parliamentary election. 
 
A vote must take place within months after Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron announced on Friday he would step down by October after Britain voted to leave the European Union. 
 
(Reuters)

Gloria de Piero, Heidi Alexander, Lucy Powell and Ian Murray announced they were withdrawing support and resigning from shadow cabinet

Seven members of Britain's opposition Labour Party said on Sunday they had withdrawn support for the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, plunging the party into crisis in the wake of Britain's vote to leave the European Union. Corbyn sacked Hilary Benn as Labour's foreign policy chief today after he said he had lost confidence in the leadership. Gloria de Piero, Heidi Alexander, Lucy Powell and Ian Murray all announced they were withdrawing support and stepping down from Corbyn's 'shadow cabinet'. Sky News television reported that Lilian Greenwood and Kerry Mccarthy had also resigned. Several said in statements that they doubted Corbyn's ability to lead the party to victory in the country's next parliamentary election. A vote must take place within months after Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron announced on Friday he would step down by October after Britain voted to leave the European Union. (Reuters)

Seven of Labour withdraw support from Corbyn

Turmoil unleashed by Britain&#39;s vote to leave the EU engulfed the opposition Labour Party, while policymakers as far away as China, Japan and South Korea fretted today over the threat to global financial stability, hours before markets reopen. 
 
In the oldest parliamentary democracy, three million Britons have signed a petition calling for a re-run of Thursday&#39;s referendum that split the nation, and one opinion poll showed a strong majority of Scots now want to break with the United Kingdom rather than with the European Union. 
 
Labour&#39;s left-wing leader Jeremy Corbyn sacked his foreign policy chief as the party plunged into open conflict. 
 
His health chief responded by resigning, calling for a new leader and reflecting accusations among pro-EU lawmakers that Corbyn&#39;s failure to win over traditional Labour voters had played a major role in the referendum result. 
 
Sacked foreign affairs spokesman Hilary Benn also called for Corbyn, who was elected last year largely by Left-wing party members and supporters, to go. &quot;He is a good and decent man but he is not a leader,&quot; Benn told BBC television. 
 
The 52-48 per cent referendum vote marked the biggest blow since World War II to the European project of forging greater unity across the continent. 
 
Sterling fell as much as 10 per cent against the Dollar on Friday to levels last seen in 1985, while world stocks saw more than $2 trillion wiped off their value. The weekend gave some respite from the turmoil, but with markets opening shortly in Asia, anxiety is growing. 
 
Prime Minister David Cameron resigned on Friday after Britons ignored his passionate appeals to stay in the EU, but left formally notifying Brussels of Britain&#39;s exit to his successor, who is unlikely to be in office for about three months. That signals a long period of limbo. 
 
Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei said the vote &quot;will cast a shadow over the global economy&quot;. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s difficult to predict now,&quot; he said at the first annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in Beijing. &quot;The knee-jerk reaction from the market is probably a bit excessive and needs to calm down and take an objective view.&quot; 
 
Japan likewise fretted over the effect on the global currency market and contemplated official action. &quot;Speculative, violent moves have extremely negative effects,&quot; said Tomomi Inada, policy chief of the ruling LDP party. &quot;If necessary, the government should not hesitate to respond, including currency intervention,&quot; Nikkei daily quoted him as saying. 
 
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has tried to engineer a weaker Yen to encourage exports to help revive the Japanese economy. But after initial success, investors have sought safety in the Yen this year due to stock market turmoil and now the Brexit vote, pushing the currency back up. 
 
No respite 
 
South Korea&#39;s finance minister also said he feared international markets will remain volatile throughout negotiations on the British exit. 
 
The United States, which during campaigning made clear it wanted Britain to stay in the EU, also showed signs of unease. 
 
Secretary of state John Kerry will meet EU foreign policy chief Frederica Mogherini in Brussels and British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond in London on Monday. 
 
The visit is largely meant to offer symbolic reassurance at a critical juncture for Europe, but a senior US official said Kerry would also stress the importance of other members not following Britain&#39;s lead and further weakening the EU. 
 
Despite the international expressions of concern, respite from the uncertainty is unlikely for months, at the very least. 
 
Cameron has offered to stay on as a caretaker, but he has refused to invoke Article 50 of the EU&#39;s Lisbon Treaty, which allows for two years of exit negotiations. Instead he left that job to his successor, who is due to be elected by his Conservative Party sometime before its annual conference in October. 
 
Only after the new leader has invoked can work on thrashing out Britain&#39;s new relationship with the bloc begin. The man widely tipped as the next prime minister is former London mayor Boris Johnson, the most prominent member of the campaign to leave the EU. 
 
No lying down 
 
Signs are growing that not all the 16 million Britons who voted to stay in the EU are willing to take the result lying down. Many flocked to back an online petition demanding a second vote, with signatures exceeding three million today morning, more than double the figure the previous afternoon. 
 
The petition, posted on Parliament&#39;s website before the referendum, said there should be another vote if the outcome was close on a turnout of less than 75 per cent - three points above Thursday&#39;s figure. 
 
It will have to be considered for debate by lawmakers, but has no legal force and its backers compare with the 17.4 million who voted &quot;leave&quot;. 
 
The referendum has also re-energised support for Scotland, which voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, to break away from the United Kingdom instead. 
 
An opinion poll in The Sunday Post said 59 per cent of respondents backed independence, rocketing from 45 per cent of votes cast in a referendum in 2014. 
 
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has said a fresh independence referendum is possible 
 
&quot;My challenge now as first minister is to work out how I best protect Scotland&#39;s interests, how I try to prevent us being taken out of the EU against our will with all of the deeply damaging and painful consequences that that will entail,&quot; she told the BBC&#39;s Andrew Marr show.&nbsp; 
 
(Reuters)

The 52-48% referendum vote marked the biggest blow since World War II to the European project forging unity across the continent

Turmoil unleashed by Britain's vote to leave the EU engulfed the opposition Labour Party, while policymakers as far away as China, Japan and South Korea fretted today over the threat to global financial stability, hours before markets reopen. In the oldest parliamentary democracy, three million Britons have signed a petition calling for a re-run of Thursday's referendum that split the nation, and one opinion poll showed a strong majority of Scots now want to break with the United Kingdom rather than with the European Union. Labour's left-wing leader Jeremy Corbyn sacked his foreign policy chief as the party plunged into open conflict. His health chief responded by resigning, calling for a new leader and reflecting accusations among pro-EU lawmakers that Corbyn's failure to win over traditional Labour voters had played a major role in the referendum result. Sacked foreign affairs spokesman Hilary Benn also called for Corbyn, who was elected last year largely by Left-wing party members and supporters, to go. "He is a good and decent man but he is not a leader," Benn told BBC television. The 52-48 per cent referendum vote marked the biggest blow since World War II to the European project of forging greater unity across the continent. Sterling fell as much as 10 per cent against the Dollar on Friday to levels last seen in 1985, while world stocks saw more than $2 trillion wiped off their value. The weekend gave some respite from the turmoil, but with markets opening shortly in Asia, anxiety is growing. Prime Minister David Cameron resigned on Friday after Britons ignored his passionate appeals to stay in the EU, but left formally notifying Brussels of Britain's exit to his successor, who is unlikely to be in office for about three months. That signals a long period of limbo. Chinese Finance Minister Lou Jiwei said the vote "will cast a shadow over the global economy". "It's difficult to predict now," he said at the first annual meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in Beijing. "The knee-jerk reaction from the market is probably a bit excessive and needs to calm down and take an objective view." Japan likewise fretted over the effect on the global currency market and contemplated official action. "Speculative, violent moves have extremely negative effects," said Tomomi Inada, policy chief of the ruling LDP party. "If necessary, the government should not hesitate to respond, including currency intervention," Nikkei daily quoted him as saying. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has tried to engineer a weaker Yen to encourage exports to help revive the Japanese economy. But after initial success, investors have sought safety in the Yen this year due to stock market turmoil and now the Brexit vote, pushing the currency back up. No respite South Korea's finance minister also said he feared international markets will remain volatile throughout negotiations on the British exit. The United States, which during campaigning made clear it wanted Britain to stay in the EU, also showed signs of unease. Secretary of state John Kerry will meet EU foreign policy chief Frederica Mogherini in Brussels and British Foreign Minister Philip Hammond in London on Monday. The visit is largely meant to offer symbolic reassurance at a critical juncture for Europe, but a senior US official said Kerry would also stress the importance of other members not following Britain's lead and further weakening the EU. Despite the international expressions of concern, respite from the uncertainty is unlikely for months, at the very least. Cameron has offered to stay on as a caretaker, but he has refused to invoke Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, which allows for two years of exit negotiations. Instead he left that job to his successor, who is due to be elected by his Conservative Party sometime before its annual conference in October. Only after the new leader has invoked can work on thrashing out Britain's new relationship with the bloc begin. The man widely tipped as the next prime minister is former London mayor Boris Johnson, the most prominent member of the campaign to leave the EU. No lying down Signs are growing that not all the 16 million Britons who voted to stay in the EU are willing to take the result lying down. Many flocked to back an online petition demanding a second vote, with signatures exceeding three million today morning, more than double the figure the previous afternoon. The petition, posted on Parliament's website before the referendum, said there should be another vote if the outcome was close on a turnout of less than 75 per cent - three points above Thursday's figure. It will have to be considered for debate by lawmakers, but has no legal force and its backers compare with the 17.4 million who voted "leave". The referendum has also re-energised support for Scotland, which voted overwhelmingly to remain in the EU, to break away from the United Kingdom instead. An opinion poll in The Sunday Post said 59 per cent of respondents backed independence, rocketing from 45 per cent of votes cast in a referendum in 2014. Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon has said a fresh independence referendum is possible "My challenge now as first minister is to work out how I best protect Scotland's interests, how I try to prevent us being taken out of the EU against our will with all of the deeply damaging and painful consequences that that will entail," she told the BBC's Andrew Marr show. (Reuters)

British EU exit turmoil alarms Asia, rocks Labour opposition

Thousands of Australians marched at same-sex marriage rallies across the country today, calling on whichever party wins a July 2 national election to quickly introduce same-sex marriage laws. 
 
Conservative Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull supports same-sex marriage and has pledged a public vote on the issue before the end of 2016. 
 
The Labour opposition will skip a public vote and introduce a bill to parliament within 100 days if it wins the election. 
 
Opinion polls say Turnbull&#39;s Conservative coalition and Labour are neck-and-neck ahead of the election. 
 
Protesters in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth marched carrying rainbow flags and signs which read &quot;Equality now&quot;. 
 
Some dressed up in costumes of former prime minister Tony Abbott, an opponent of same-sex marriage, who Turnbull ousted in a party room coup last September. 
 
Openly-gay Labour candidate Pat O&#39;Neill, who marched in Brisbane, said the election will give the gay community a &quot;voice at the ballot box&quot;, reported Australian Associated Press (AAP). 
 
Greens senator Larissa Waters told the crowd a public vote was a waste of time. &quot;It&#39;s not going to be binding on their (government) members - what a joke,&quot; said Waters, reported AAP. 
 
Australia has been criticised by international human rights groups over its slowness to act on same-sex marriage. Several countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, United States, France, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa, have already amended their marriage laws to recognise same-sex unions. 
 
Turnbull, considered a moderate, brushed off criticism from conservatives to become the first sitting prime minister to attend Sydney&#39;s annual gay Mardi Gras parade in March. 
 
Australia has seen a revolving door of political leadership in recent years. If Turnbull loses on July 2, the change in prime minister would be the fifth since 2010. 
 
(Reuters)

The rally-goers demand that whichever party wins the July 2 national election should quickly introduce same-sex marriage laws

Thousands of Australians marched at same-sex marriage rallies across the country today, calling on whichever party wins a July 2 national election to quickly introduce same-sex marriage laws. Conservative Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull supports same-sex marriage and has pledged a public vote on the issue before the end of 2016. The Labour opposition will skip a public vote and introduce a bill to parliament within 100 days if it wins the election. Opinion polls say Turnbull's Conservative coalition and Labour are neck-and-neck ahead of the election. Protesters in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth marched carrying rainbow flags and signs which read "Equality now". Some dressed up in costumes of former prime minister Tony Abbott, an opponent of same-sex marriage, who Turnbull ousted in a party room coup last September. Openly-gay Labour candidate Pat O'Neill, who marched in Brisbane, said the election will give the gay community a "voice at the ballot box", reported Australian Associated Press (AAP). Greens senator Larissa Waters told the crowd a public vote was a waste of time. "It's not going to be binding on their (government) members - what a joke," said Waters, reported AAP. Australia has been criticised by international human rights groups over its slowness to act on same-sex marriage. Several countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, United States, France, New Zealand, Ireland, and South Africa, have already amended their marriage laws to recognise same-sex unions. Turnbull, considered a moderate, brushed off criticism from conservatives to become the first sitting prime minister to attend Sydney's annual gay Mardi Gras parade in March. Australia has seen a revolving door of political leadership in recent years. If Turnbull loses on July 2, the change in prime minister would be the fifth since 2010. (Reuters)

Thousands rally in Australia for same-sex marriage

Australia has intercepted a boat of Vietnamese asylum-seekers, officials said today, as the government accused people-smugglers of using the upcoming election to drum up new business. 
 
Rhetoric around Canberra&#39;s controversial immigration policy has ramped up ahead of July 2 polls, and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has denounced a Labour opposition pledge to allow illegal migrants already in Australia to stay permanently. 
 
The Vietnamese boat was discovered north of Australia this month, with the 21 men, women and children on board processed at sea and then flown home, immigration minister Peter Dutton said. 
 
&quot;They claimed that they were wanting protection. It was found that they weren&#39;t owed protection and they were returned back to Vietnam,&quot; he said. 
 
Under Canberra&#39;s tough measures, asylum-seekers trying to reach Australia by boat are either sent back to where they departed or to remote Pacific island camps, where living conditions have been criticised. 
 
While Labour backs the policy of turning back illegal boat arrivals, it has said it would permanently settle the bulk of the 30,000 boatpeople who came ashore under the previous Labour governments of Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd, most of which are still waiting to be processed. 
 
&quot;This will send an absolutely unequivocal signal to the people-smugglers that under a Labor government, anyone who manages to get to Australia on a boat will be able to stay here permanently,&quot; Turnbull told reporters. 
 
&quot;The people-smugglers are starting to market again and we know... they are marketing that there will be, or could be, a change of government in Australia and the way the opportunities to smuggle people to Australia will be open again.&quot; 
 
Since the start of its &quot;Operation Sovereign Borders&quot; in September 2013, the government has managed to halt the flood of boat arrivals, and drownings, that characterised previous Labour administrations. 
 
Turnbull said since the Conservatives came to power, 28 boats carrying 734 people have been turned back with no successful arrival in almost 700 days. 
 
(AFP)

The immigration minister said the 21 aboard did not need protection as claimed and sent them back to Vietnam

Australia has intercepted a boat of Vietnamese asylum-seekers, officials said today, as the government accused people-smugglers of using the upcoming election to drum up new business. Rhetoric around Canberra's controversial immigration policy has ramped up ahead of July 2 polls, and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has denounced a Labour opposition pledge to allow illegal migrants already in Australia to stay permanently. The Vietnamese boat was discovered north of Australia this month, with the 21 men, women and children on board processed at sea and then flown home, immigration minister Peter Dutton said. "They claimed that they were wanting protection. It was found that they weren't owed protection and they were returned back to Vietnam," he said. Under Canberra's tough measures, asylum-seekers trying to reach Australia by boat are either sent back to where they departed or to remote Pacific island camps, where living conditions have been criticised. While Labour backs the policy of turning back illegal boat arrivals, it has said it would permanently settle the bulk of the 30,000 boatpeople who came ashore under the previous Labour governments of Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd, most of which are still waiting to be processed. "This will send an absolutely unequivocal signal to the people-smugglers that under a Labor government, anyone who manages to get to Australia on a boat will be able to stay here permanently," Turnbull told reporters. "The people-smugglers are starting to market again and we know... they are marketing that there will be, or could be, a change of government in Australia and the way the opportunities to smuggle people to Australia will be open again." Since the start of its "Operation Sovereign Borders" in September 2013, the government has managed to halt the flood of boat arrivals, and drownings, that characterised previous Labour administrations. Turnbull said since the Conservatives came to power, 28 boats carrying 734 people have been turned back with no successful arrival in almost 700 days. (AFP)

Australia intercepts Vietnam asylum-seeker boat

A British member of parliament was shot dead in the street on Thursday, causing deep shock across Britain and the suspension of campaigning for next week&#39;s referendum on the country&#39;s EU membership. 
 
Jo Cox, 41, a lawmaker for the opposition Labour Party and a vocal advocate for Britain remaining in the European Union, was attacked while preparing to meet constituents in Birstall near Leeds in northern England. 
 
Media reports said she had been shot and stabbed. West Yorkshire regional police said a 52-year-old man was arrested by officers nearby and weapons including a firearm recovered. &quot;We are not in a position to discuss any motive at this time,&quot; said temporary chief constable Dee Collins. 
 
One witness said a man pulled an old or makeshift gun from a bag and fired twice. &quot;I saw a lady on the floor like on the beach with her arms straight and her knees up and blood all over the face,&quot; Hichem Ben-Abdallah told reporters. &quot;She wasn&#39;t making any noise, but clearly she was in agony.&quot; 
 
The lawmaker&#39;s husband Brendan said: &quot;She would have wanted two things above all else to happen now: one, that our precious children are bathed in love and two, that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her.&quot; 
 
The rival referendum campaign groups said they were suspending activities for the day, with the Remain camp saying its activities would also be suspended today. Prime Minister David Cameron said he would pull out of a planned rally in Gibraltar, the British territory on the southern coast of Spain. 
 
Cameron said the killing of the mother-of-two, who had worked on US President Barack Obama&#39;s 2008 election campaign, was a tragedy. 
 
&quot;We have lost a great star,&quot; the Conservative Prime Minister said. &quot;She was a great campaigning MP with huge compassion, with a big heart. It is dreadful, dreadful news.&quot; 
 
It was not immediately clear what the impact would be on the June 23 referendum, which has polarised the nation into pro- and anti-EU camps. But some analysts speculated it could boost the pro-EU &quot;Remain&quot; campaign, which in recent days has fallen behind the &quot;Leave&quot; camp in opinion polls. 
 
Britain&#39;s sterling currency rose against the Dollar after news of the attack, adding around two cents. 
 
Finance minister George Osborne and Bank of England governor Mark Carney scrapped major speeches planned for Thursday evening and the International Monetary Fund said it had delayed the publication of a report on the British economy. 
 
&#39;HORRIFIC MURDER&#39; 
 
Media reports, citing witnesses, said the attacker had shouted out &quot;Britain first&quot;, which is the name of a right-wing nationalist group that describes itself on its website as &quot;a patriotic political party and street defence organisation&quot;. 
 
But the deputy leader of the group, Jayda Fransen, completely distanced it from the attack, which she described as &quot;absolutely disgusting&quot;. 
 
West Yorkshire&#39;s elected police and crime commissioner said &quot;our information is that this is a localised incident, albeit one that has a much wider impact&quot;. 
Gun ownership is highly restricted in Britain, and attacks of any nature on public figures are rare.&nbsp; 
Britain&#39;s Union Jack flag was flying at half-mast over the Houses of Parliament in London, while in Birstall hundreds of people attended a vigil at a local church. 
 
Colleagues expressed their shock and disbelief at the death of Cox, a Cambridge University graduate who had spent a decade working for aid agency Oxfam in roles including head of humanitarian campaigning and was known for her work on women&#39;s issues. 
 
She won election to parliament for northern England&#39;s Batley and Spen district at the 2015 general election, and lived with her husband and children on a traditional Dutch barge moored on the Thames near the Tower of London. 
 
&quot;We&#39;ve lost a wonderful woman, we&#39;ve lost a wonderful member of parliament, but our democracy will go on,&quot; Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said in a televised statement. &quot;As we mourn her memory, we&#39;ll work in her memory to achieve that better world she spent her life trying to achieve.&quot; 
 
Labour lawmaker Sarah Champion said: &quot;She&#39;s a tiny woman, five feet nothing and a lion as well - she fights so hard for the things she believes in. I cannot believe anyone would do this to her.&quot; 
 
Police said a 77-year-old man was also assaulted in the incident and suffered injuries that were not life-threatening. 
 
BBC TV and other media showed a picture of the alleged suspect, a balding white man, being apprehended by police. Temporary &nbsp;chief constable Collins said a &quot;very significant investigation with large numbers of witnesses&quot; was under way. 
 
&quot;We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident,&quot; she said. 
 
The last attack on a British legislator was in 2010, when Labour member and ex-cabinet minister Stephen Timms was stabbed in the stomach at his office in east London by a 21-year-old student who was angry over his backing for the 2003 Iraq war. 
 
In 2000, a Liberal Democrat local councillor was murdered by a man with a samurai sword at the offices in western England of lawmaker Nigel Jones, who was also seriously hurt in the attack.

Analysts speculate that this tragedy could boost the pro-EU "Remain" camp , which had fallen behind to the "Leave" camp in opinion polls

A British member of parliament was shot dead in the street on Thursday, causing deep shock across Britain and the suspension of campaigning for next week's referendum on the country's EU membership. Jo Cox, 41, a lawmaker for the opposition Labour Party and a vocal advocate for Britain remaining in the European Union, was attacked while preparing to meet constituents in Birstall near Leeds in northern England. Media reports said she had been shot and stabbed. West Yorkshire regional police said a 52-year-old man was arrested by officers nearby and weapons including a firearm recovered. "We are not in a position to discuss any motive at this time," said temporary chief constable Dee Collins. One witness said a man pulled an old or makeshift gun from a bag and fired twice. "I saw a lady on the floor like on the beach with her arms straight and her knees up and blood all over the face," Hichem Ben-Abdallah told reporters. "She wasn't making any noise, but clearly she was in agony." The lawmaker's husband Brendan said: "She would have wanted two things above all else to happen now: one, that our precious children are bathed in love and two, that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her." The rival referendum campaign groups said they were suspending activities for the day, with the Remain camp saying its activities would also be suspended today. Prime Minister David Cameron said he would pull out of a planned rally in Gibraltar, the British territory on the southern coast of Spain. Cameron said the killing of the mother-of-two, who had worked on US President Barack Obama's 2008 election campaign, was a tragedy. "We have lost a great star," the Conservative Prime Minister said. "She was a great campaigning MP with huge compassion, with a big heart. It is dreadful, dreadful news." It was not immediately clear what the impact would be on the June 23 referendum, which has polarised the nation into pro- and anti-EU camps. But some analysts speculated it could boost the pro-EU "Remain" campaign, which in recent days has fallen behind the "Leave" camp in opinion polls. Britain's sterling currency rose against the Dollar after news of the attack, adding around two cents. Finance minister George Osborne and Bank of England governor Mark Carney scrapped major speeches planned for Thursday evening and the International Monetary Fund said it had delayed the publication of a report on the British economy. 'HORRIFIC MURDER' Media reports, citing witnesses, said the attacker had shouted out "Britain first", which is the name of a right-wing nationalist group that describes itself on its website as "a patriotic political party and street defence organisation". But the deputy leader of the group, Jayda Fransen, completely distanced it from the attack, which she described as "absolutely disgusting". West Yorkshire's elected police and crime commissioner said "our information is that this is a localised incident, albeit one that has a much wider impact". Gun ownership is highly restricted in Britain, and attacks of any nature on public figures are rare. Britain's Union Jack flag was flying at half-mast over the Houses of Parliament in London, while in Birstall hundreds of people attended a vigil at a local church. Colleagues expressed their shock and disbelief at the death of Cox, a Cambridge University graduate who had spent a decade working for aid agency Oxfam in roles including head of humanitarian campaigning and was known for her work on women's issues. She won election to parliament for northern England's Batley and Spen district at the 2015 general election, and lived with her husband and children on a traditional Dutch barge moored on the Thames near the Tower of London. "We've lost a wonderful woman, we've lost a wonderful member of parliament, but our democracy will go on," Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said in a televised statement. "As we mourn her memory, we'll work in her memory to achieve that better world she spent her life trying to achieve." Labour lawmaker Sarah Champion said: "She's a tiny woman, five feet nothing and a lion as well - she fights so hard for the things she believes in. I cannot believe anyone would do this to her." Police said a 77-year-old man was also assaulted in the incident and suffered injuries that were not life-threatening. BBC TV and other media showed a picture of the alleged suspect, a balding white man, being apprehended by police. Temporary chief constable Collins said a "very significant investigation with large numbers of witnesses" was under way. "We are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident," she said. The last attack on a British legislator was in 2010, when Labour member and ex-cabinet minister Stephen Timms was stabbed in the stomach at his office in east London by a 21-year-old student who was angry over his backing for the 2003 Iraq war. In 2000, a Liberal Democrat local councillor was murdered by a man with a samurai sword at the offices in western England of lawmaker Nigel Jones, who was also seriously hurt in the attack.

British lawmaker shot dead, EU referendum campaigns suspended

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