If the goal of the first few Prime Minister’s Questions sessions that a new leader faces is to assert their authority, both over the Opposition and their new party, then Theresa May managed that today.
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In a briefing to journalists in Westminster following Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, the senior Labour source said Corbyn is against parts of the single market, such as “pressure on the privatisation or deregulation of public services”.
Mr Corbyn is facing a challenge for control of the party from Owen Smith following a year of turmoil and division, but is on course to comfortably hold on to his job.
Amid a steady stream of boos and cheers, one person said both Jeremy Corbyn and Owen Smith were “unelectable” during the hour-long debate.
“I don’t wish to go to war; what I want to do is achieve a world where we don’t need to go to war, where there is no need for it – that can be done”.
He will also pledge to create an energy policy “for the 60 million, not the Big Six energy companies”.
Mr Smith said he admired Mr Corbyn’s “optimism” but added: “I don’t think that’s what we will see”.
Mr Corbyn said he had been talking to Labour MPs in recent weeks and believed they would turn their fire on the Conservatives after the contest. It brings jobs, growth and investment.
The manifesto also contains plans to empower community energy companies and co-operatives, introduce a National Home Insulation plan for at least four million homes, adopt European Union environmental regulations and back the Government’s plan to phase out coal-fired power by 2025.
The publication of the figures followed shadow chancellor John McDonnell complaints of a “rigged purge” of Mr Corbyn’s supporters, who he suggested were being excluded without explanation.
The former work and pensions secretary said keeping the Labour leader in post would lead to another Tory general election victory and a continuation of the “housing crisis”.
He asked Mrs May: “Isn’t the dream of home ownership for many people just that – a dream?” “We have to be a credible government-in-waiting and win the next election”.
That prospect appeared to move one step closer this week when the PLP voted to restore elections to the shadow Cabinet – which Ed Miliband had phased out in 2011 in favour of a system of appointments – in a move which must be ratified by Labour’s ruling NEC as well as party conference.
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“By failing to act against abuse, attacking party staff and the NEC (National Executive Committee) and encouraging talk of de-selection, Jeremy has shown that he is both unwilling and unable to act as a unifying figure”.
