Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds: Why I refuse to serve in Jeremy Corbyn's Labour cabinet

The MP for Wolverhampton North East has come under fire from supporters of the new party leader for announcing she would not stay on as shadow communities secretary in the shadow cabinet within 90 minutes of the results being announced.

She defended herself against critics, whom she labelled 'trolls' for saying she should resign her seat in the Commons or change parties.

Miss Reynolds was one of a series of high profile resignations including shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt, shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves and leadership contenders Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall that came almost immediately after the leftwinger Mr Corbyn was revealed to have won a sensational majority.

But the 37-year-old ex pupil of Codsall High School told the Express & Star she had 'major policy differences' with Mr Corbyn, who won the backing of 60 per cent of party supporters.

Miss Reynolds is strongly pro Britain staying in the European Union and in Nato, contrary to Mr Corbyn, who has criticised the military alliance and not ruled out campaigning to leave the EU.

She said: "I have congratulated Jeremy for winning a decisive victory. "He needs the space to build his own team. I believe in collective responsibility for every member of the shadow cabinet.

"That's why I made the decision on Saturday to stand aside given that I have major policy differences with our new leader on Europe, Nato and more broadly foreign policy.

"However, of course, I do agree with Jeremy's emphasis on helping those in need and the most vulnerable, tackling poverty and pushing for a more equal society. Like Jeremy and all of our members, I am passionate about our party's values of equality, solidarity and social justice."

But she offered her congratulations to Mr Corbyn and to new deputy leader Tom Watson, MP for West Bromwich East, and backed his call for unity in the party. And she vowed to be a 'supportive backbench MP', agreeing with Mr Corbyn on the need to tackle poverty and protect the most vulnerable.

"I am committed to campaigning to stay in the European Union, whereas we do not yet know what Jeremy will want to do," Miss Reynolds said.

"I passionately believe in the values of the Labour party. It's a respectable position to be on the backbenches. And this is where I will serve my constituents in Wolverhampton."

And to her Twitter critics she replied: "Trolls should remember many MPs served from backbenches, like Jeremy."

But there was dismay within the party rank and file in her constituency at Miss Reynolds' decision.

Wednesfield councillor Phil Bateman said: "I really wished that our MP Emma Reynolds had not spoken out in the way that she did. Even at this late stage I would hope that she will re-consider her position on resignation.

"I really would like to see all of us try very hard to come behind the new Leadership team. The results in all sections of the Party was overwhelming for Jeremy Corbyn. All of us including Emma I hope will reflect long and hard on this."

However, Bushbury North councillor Ian Angus tweeted: "Welcome to the wilderness years."

There was also delight at Mr Corbyn's win, with some saying it means Labour is 'coming home' to its founding values.

Cannock Chase councillor Janos Toth, who stood unsuccessfully as Labour's candidate for MP in May, said: "The Labour party has come home. I have supported Jeremy throughout and am overwhelmed by this clear cut result and it heralds a really exciting time for our area and the country.

The Labour party has spoken and we can now move to building a party of over a million people, a real Labour Movement. We must unite around Jeremy and I am sure in Cannock Chase we will do that."

Dudley North MP Ian Austin has previously highlighted Mr Corbyn's voting record, including his rebellions against his own party.

And he has written of how voters would reject a Labour party led by the leftwinger in 2020, receiving a backlash online from Corbyn supporters.

He said: "I will do everything I can to listen to the people of Dudley and respond to their concerns, as I have always done. That is my priority and will not change."

Meanwhile Pat McFadden, MP for Wolverhampton South East, said: "I didn't vote for Jeremy Corbyn, but I respect his victory."

Miss Reynolds was appointed to the shadow cabinet under former Labour leader Ed Miliband. She had backed the 'Blairite' candidate Liz Kendall this time and had warned Mr Corbyn's victory would take the party back to the 1980s when it was 'almost destroyed'.