Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves has resigned from the front bench following Jeremy Corbyn’s appointment as Labour leader today.
Ms Reeves, currently on maternity leave after the birth of her second child, has said she will not return to her position as shadow work and pensions secretary and will instead “serve my constituents in Leeds West, party and new leadership from backbenches.”
She tweeted today:
When I return from maternity leave in January I will serve my constituents in Leeds West, party & new leadership from backbenches. #Labour
— Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) September 12, 2015
Ms Reeves also Tweeted her congratulations to Corbyn on his success:
Congratulations to @Corbyn4Leader and @TomForDeputy on becoming leader and deputy of our great party. #labourleadership — Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) September 12, 2015
Veteran left-winger Corbyn got almost 60% of more than 400,000 votes cast, trouncing his rivals Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall. Ms Reeves also hit back at one poster who Tweeted: “To be fair, it seems like you’re always on maternity leave!”
@ResearchScot you don’t think I should be able to take maternity leave for my second child? — Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) September 12, 2015
The original Tweet, by @ResearchScot, appears to have been deleted.