Tom Watson: I quit because of Labour brutality
Former deputy leader admits voting for Owen Smith against Corbyn in Guardian interview
Labour’s former deputy leader Tom Watson has said he left parliament because of the “brutality and hostility” he experienced within Labour and blamed poor organisation and messaging for the party’s disastrous general election result.
Watson, who stood down as an MP and deputy leader last month, condemned Jeremy Corbyn’s advisers and told the Guardian that Labour’s next generation of leaders must address whether they “actually want power” as they begin to rebuild the party. In an admission that will draw criticism from Corbyn’s supporters, he also said he had voted for the leadership challenger Owen Smith despite his position as deputy leader.