AS THURSDAY night wore on, Labour activists started to think about the future in opposition and the tricky question of party leadership.
One of those present at the count at St Aldate’s Church was former Oxford East MP Andrew Smith.
He was MP for the constituency for almost 30 years after being elected in June 1987 and in 2017 he decided to stand down before the general election.
READ AGAIN: Disappointing night from the start for Labour
Mr Smith said: “The national picture is bleak for Labour but the fact that Anneliese Dodds has done so well here in Oxford East shows what a great constituency MP she has been and the high regard in which she is held by Oxford people - that has been very clear on the doorstep.”
Referring to Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Mr Smith said he had shown ‘calm leadership’ in the face of ‘vitriolic opposition and at times abuse’.
He added: “It is to his credit that he has never allowed personal antagonisms to colour his politics.”
Mr Smith added that Mr Corbyn had also shown ‘an ability to motivate a huge number of young people to get involved in politics’.
He said: “That is a huge legacy for the future.”
The former MP conceded that the Labour Party now has ‘some very big questions to face’.
He said: “The Brexit issue was toxic for the Labour Party because it has split Labour supporters.”
Mr Smith was one of a number of supporters in Ms Dodds’ campaign team at the church, which also included her partner, city councillor Ed Turner.
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