Yahoo News Corbyn ally tells Kay Burley to 'get real' after Sky presenter says Labour is 'on the brink'
A Jeremy Corbyn ally today told Sky News presenter Kay Burley to “get real” after she suggested the Labour Party was in crisis.
Andy McDonald, a member of Mr Corbyn’s shadow cabinet, took exception to Ms Burley saying last month’s general election was Labour’s worst result since 1935 and that the party was “on the brink”.
He said: “I do caution against thinking our demise is imminent. We still did secure 32 per cent of the…”
Mr McDonald was then interrupted as Ms Burley burst into laughter. She told him: “Get real.”
He then replied: “I’d ask you to get real, Kay. We won 32 per cent of the vote, it’s not insignificant.”
But he then conceded: “The Tories gained 43 per cent, so we’re a long, long way off. We’ve got an awful lot of work to do, this is a really serious moment for the Labour Party and I don’t underestimate it one jot.”
Later in the interview, shadow transport secretary Mr McDonald also complained of the treatment Mr Corbyn received during the election campaign.
“I have never ever experienced a general election where a good and decent, principled man has been so vilified and demonised in the way that Jeremy was.”
Read more from Yahoo News UK
Teenage boy, 17, fighting for life after being shot in east London in violent start to New Year
No guarantee terrorists can be cured, says UK's top deradicalisation psychologist
PETA calls for zoo boycott after fire kills animals in Germany
His comments on Sky News were a stark contrast to those of leadership candidate Clive Lewis, who yesterday said Labour is facing an “existential crisis” following the election disaster overseen by Mr Corbyn.
A date for the leadership contest has not been set. Only Mr Lewis and Emily Thornberry have so far confirmed they will stand.
