Carwyn tips Corbyn as PM

JEREMY Corbyn is ready to be Prime Minister, one of Labour’s most powerful politicians has declared.

Outgoing First Minister Carwyn Jones backed the party’s UK leader for No 10 as the Tory government struggles with its Brexit negotiations.

He is the right man to “reject the mess the Tories are making”, said Mr Jones, who steps down as First Minister and Welsh Labour leader in December after nine years. Asked if he thought Mr Corbyn was ready for Downing Street, he said: “Yes I do.”

He urged the Labour leader to work harder to attract older voters.

Endorsing Mr Corbyn for Downing Street, Mr Jones pointed to the party chief’s recent success in highlighting Brexit splits at the top of Government.

He said: “I think he struck a very, very telling blow on the Prime Minister making the point about the weakness of the current UK Cabinet.

“At the moment we have what seems to be several different Prime Ministers who are trying to run the country, and Jeremy would be a better alternative than any of them.”

Mr Jones has had a sometimes tense relationship with Labour’s Lon- don-based operation.

There was widespread dismay at what Cardiff saw as Mr Corbyn’s lack of enthusiasm to campaign to Remain in the EU in the 2016 referendum.

But he surprised critics at last year’s snap general election, denying the Tories a majority and boosting his own position.

Asked how Mr Corbyn could win more suppor, Mr Jones urged: “He needs to stick to his guns.”