UK Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn puts politics center stage at Glastonbury Festival
British opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn got a rock star reception at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday, telling a headliner- sized crowd that millions of young people who voted for him would not be silenced or sidelined.
Dismissed as a left- wing no- hoper before elections on June 8, Corbyn attracted a surge of support from 18- 24 year- olds that helped his Labour Party deny Prime Minister Theresa May a parliamentary majority.
The 68- year old’s popularity at Worthy Farm in south- west England could be measured by the number of pro- Corbyn banners on display and Corbyn T- shirts.
They easily outnumbered those for the biggest names on the musical bill – Radiohead, Foo Fighters and Ed Sheeran – and the chant “Oh, Jeremy Corbyn” rang round the world’s biggest greenfield festival.
Appearing between British singersongwriter Craig David and US rap act Run The Jewels, Corbyn – who promised during campaigning to abolish tuition fees – said he was proud to have led Labour into an election that delivered the biggest increase in the party’s support since 1945.
“But what was even more inspiring was the number of young people who got involved for the very first time because they were fed up with being denigrated, fed up with being told they don’t matter [ and] fed up with being told they never participate,” he said to cheers from the crowd.
“And that politics that got out of the box isn’t going back into the box,” he noted.
Eleri Angharad, a 25- year- old musician sporting a Corbyn T- shirt, said the veteran socialist came across as authentic.
“He makes an effort to connect with people, and people connect back with him,” she said.
She said she wasn’t surprised by his support among young people, having seen his popularity rise on social media. “I don’t read newspapers, I don’t know anybody who does,” she said.
Billy Bragg, the singer, songwriter and activist who runs the Leftfield politics and music stage, said Brexit had shocked young people into becoming interested in politics, and their influence had been seen a year later.
“Even if it wasn’t the youth ‘ what won it,’ the engagement among young people has shot up,” he said.
“If it can be sustained, it’s a sea change in British politics because it means that all parties will have to take their views into account.”