A NEW row has broken out within Labour over plans to challenge Jeremy Corbyn's opponents to pledge loyalty to whoever wins the party's UK leadership contest.
The first event north of the border in the election, sparked following a huge rebellion among MPs against their leader which has also split the top of the Holyrood party, will take place on Sunday when the Scottish Labour for Jeremy campaign launches in Glasgow.
Neil Findlay, the MSP who ran Mr Corbyn's successful campaign in Scotland last year, said speakers would call on those who oppose the leader to "promise to abide by the result, and to serve in Jeremy’s team if asked for example" in a move he said would be "for the good of the Labour Party".
Others hit out at the new tactic, claiming that refusal to sign pledges could be shared publicly and lead to online abuse or used as ammunition in future if, as many predict, Mr Corbyn once again wins the backing of members.
The London MP, who won in a landslide last September, is facing a leadership challenge after losing a vote of no confidence by 172 votes to 40 among MPs, with Angela Eagle and Owen Smith launching challenges.
Asked about the pledge challenge, one party source said it would prove "divisive". They added: "It would be better if they focused their energy on campaigning rather than trying to force people to sign some pledge. Whether people sign it or not, it will be used against them. Those who don't will be accused of disloyalty and face online abuse and if they do sign, it will be used against them in future.
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"Everyone needs to abide by the result. But this is a campaign of divisiveness and instead it would be better to concentrate on making positive arguments."
Mr Findlay said Mr Corbyn had won last year because of his vision for Labour and that the upcoming contest would be a "battle of ideas". He said the UK leader had successfully defended tax credits and disability benefits from the threat of Tory cuts, rejected austerity and seen party membership soar to record numbers.
The Corbyn campaign denied that its pledge policy was intended to divide members and politicians, saying it was not its goal to "frogmarch" people into supporting the veteran left winger if he wins again. The exact wording of the pledge has not yet been agreed.
A spokesman said: "It's about trying to ensure that the result of the ballot is respected by the PLP [Parliamentary Labour Party]. The leader is elected by the entire party and MPs shouldn't be overturning the decision of 250,000 party members.
"We've seen in recent weeks that they are hampering Labour's efforts in parliament by withdrawing cooperation. That doesn't help anyone and this is aimed at building a stronger opposition."
The dispute broke out as disagreements over voting rules for the contest rumbled on. Mr Findlay hit out at attempts to "escape political difficulties through bureaucratic prescriptions."
As many as 100,000 new party members could be barred from voting in the contest, after it was decided those who joined less than six months ago would have no say. They face a 'registered supporter' fee of £25 to take part, far higher than the £3 charged last year. A loophole, which would have allowed voting if the unemployed or students signed up to Unite for £2, was apparently closed yesterday when a party committee ruled that the six month freeze date also applied to affiliates.
Meanwhile, a new poll indicated that increasing numbers believe Labour should ditch Mr Corbyn before the next General Election. Two thirds agreed Mr Corbyn should go, up from 42 per cent last October. More than half of Labour voters, 54 per cent, believed Labour should change leader, with 41 per cent backing Mr Corbyn. However, the Ipsos Mori survey also revealed that challenger Ms Eagle is not viewed favourably.
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