Britain’s Labour party marred by defections at EU elections

The wife of a former Labour Prime Minister likely voted for a rival party

Former British prime minister Tony Blair (R) and his wife Cherie Blair (L) pose for photographs as they arrive to attend the wedding ceremony of Akash Ambani, son of Indian Businessman Mukesh Ambani, in Mumbai on March 9, 2019. / AFP / SUJIT JAISWAL
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Cherie Blair, the wife of former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair, may have voted for the Liberal Democrats in European elections, British media reported on Thursday.

Sources close to Cherie Blair quoted by British television channel ITV said Mrs Blair voted for the Liberal Democrats despite being a Labour Party member.

Party rules dictate that anyone who votes for another party while being a member shall be expelled. Mrs Blair hasn’t publicly announced her vote, so is not at risk of expulsion at this stage.

British newspaper the Evening Standard said Mrs Blair was “among thousands of Labour Party members who voted Liberal Democrat last week.”

If this were true, it would put pressure on the party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, to reverse the rules on expulsion of members who backed rival parties. A rebellion is already taking place on social media under the hashtag #expelmetoo, as some members dare officials to throw them out of the party.

The news comes on the heels of the expulsion of Alastair Campbell, Labour member and Tony Blair’s former spin doctor, for voting Lib Dem.

The Evening Standard reported that Mrs Blair was “appalled by the instant ejection” of Mr Campbell.

Among the big names who have gone public by saying they also voted for another party were former Home Secretary Charles Clarke, former Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth and ex-minister Fiona McTaggart.

Labour lost ground in the European elections, coming in behind the Brexit Party and Lib Dems with 14.1 per cent of the vote.

The party lost 11.3 per cent since the previous European election in 2014, weakened by a loss of support over Brexit and an ongoing anti-Semitism row that lasted over three years.

A number of Labour MPs left the party to join an Independent group, claiming the party has "become infected with the scourge of anti-Jewish racism". Mr Corbyn has been accused of not prioritising the fight against anti-Semitism due to his opposition to Israeli Zionism.