Rejecting accusation he was more interested in strengthening the left’s hold on Labour than winning power, Mr Corbyn insisted the enthusiasm which drove his second leadership campaign would boost the party’s hopes in the General Election scheduled for 2020.
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The secretive organisation led by Julian Assange, said it is hoping to emulate what they achieved in the U.S., when they released thousands of emails and attachments from the Democratic Party’s National Committee (DNC).
In an acceptance speech after the result was declared he said it was vital to work together and announced plans for a mass rally on education to oppose more grammar schools.
Corbyn was announced as the victor of the Labour leadership contest at the party’s conference in Liverpool on Saturday morning.
With a renewed mandate, Mr Corbyn could set about trying to strengthen his grip on the party machinery – reports have suggested his allies want a “purge” of perceived opponents at Labour HQ, with general secretary Iain McNicol thought to be in the firing line.
Labour’s home affairs spokesman Andy Burnham told BBC radio that, while the “war of attrition” must stop, Corbyn must also build more support among the public, not just Labour activists.
“As I’ve said throughout this campaign, this isn’t, and has never been, about me; it’s about all of us”.
Mr Corbyn’s election by a massive majority was confirmed after a bruising summer-long leadership contest today.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 24: Jeremy Corbyn MP leaves the stage after being announced as the leader of the Labour Party.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell and shadow health secretary Diane Abbott told LBC’s Matt Frei that it was now a time to focus on unity.
“I’ll be supporting him yes definitely”.
Following the result, Mr Corbyn said that he will do everything he can to bring the party together and make it an “engine of progress”.
Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson said: “I am glad this election is over”.
Mr Corbyn strengthened his mandate with a 61.8% share of the vote – up from 59.5% past year – and won the support of more than 300,000 party members and supporters in a result which is likely to kill off any prospect of further attempts to unseat him for some time to come.
Referring to the “passionate and often partisan” contest, Mr Corbyn acknowledged “things are sometimes said in the heat of the debate on all sides which we sometimes later come to regret”.
“We have to unify yes but we also have to be clear about where we’re going and how we’re doing it”. “Let us wipe that slate clean from today and get on with the work that we have to do as a party”.
Theresa May’s Conservative Party leads Labour by about eight percentage points in opinion polls and Corbyn’s approval ratings lag behind the premier’s.
Labour now claims to be the biggest party in Europe, with a membership of over 600,000.
“Politics is demeaned and corroded by intimidation and abuse”.
After private talks this week with senior MPs on Labour’s moderate wing, Mr Corbyn is expected to seek to rebuild his frontbench team.
“Those new members are now part of a nationwide movement who can now take our message into every community in the country to win support for the election of a Labour government”.
But if he brought back those ballots, the parliamentary party would choose three members of the NEC, possibly replacing two of Mr Corbyn’s allies who now sit on the committee, and therefore watering down his control.
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“While Labour row amongst themselves, this Conservative Government will continue to deliver a country that works for everyone, not just the privileged few”. “It is not a new government; it is a new version of David Cameron’s rightwing government.” he said.
