Campaign for next election starts now, says Corbyn
Labour MPS applaud as leader says party must act and think at all times as a ‘government in waiting’
JEREMY CORBYN last night said Labour will remain “in permanent campaign mode on a general election footing” as he vowed to visit 60 marginal Conservative seats in case a second vote is called in the next few weeks.
The Labour leader received rapturous applause as he spoke at the first meeting of his MPS since the election, in which his party won seats despite predictions of a wipeout.
Chuka Umunna, previously one of Mr Corbyn’s harshest critics, said his speech was “excellent” and added: “Unity is the watch word, Government is the aim.”
Other MPS also vowed to fall in behind the leader as Mr Corbyn prepares to reshuffle his shadow cabinet today – when he is likely to make a few small concessions to bring senior critics back into the fold.
Mr Corbyn won a standing ovation from MPS who banged on tables a number of times as he kick-started “the next phase of our campaign to win power”.
He said: “We are now a government in waiting and we must think and act at all times with that in mind. That is our responsibility to the huge numbers who voted for our manifesto last week: a programme to transform Britain for the many that caught the imagination of millions.
“This was a remarkable result achieved because we stayed united and worked as a team and I have no doubt together we can win the next general election, whenever that may be.”
Mr Corbyn’s party won seats which Theresa May had expected to hold, in- cluding Kensington which has always been considered a safe Tory seat.
MPS leaving the meeting last night commented on how different the mood was compared to previous sessions, when Mr Corbyn has faced tough questions from his critics about his decision-making and policy ideas.
One described “a feeling of optimism” while another said “we are all upbeat and happy”.
It came after Mr Corbyn mocked Mrs May in a jubilant return to the House of Commons earlier in the day as he joked Labour is ready to offer “strong and stable leadership” if her “coalition of chaos” fails.
As a deal between the Democratic Unionist Party and the Conservatives hung in the balance Mr Corbyn exploited the opportunity to make light of the election result.
The Labour leader was applauded by his MPS as he arrived in the chamber.
And he joked that he is looking forward to acting as opposition leader in the Parliament, “however long it might last” – a nod to turbulent times ahead as Mrs May attempts to strike a deal.
In the days following the election Mr Corbyn vowed to vote down the Queen’s Speech and attempt to force the Prime Minister to change her stance on Brexit and incorporate a number of Labour policies into her programme for Government.
Responding following the re-election of John Bercow as Commons Speaker, Mr Corbyn told MPS: “It is customary on these occasions to congratulate the returning Prime Minister – and I absolutely do so.
“I congratulate her on returning and I’m sure she’ll agree with me that democracy is a wondrous thing, and can throw up some very unexpected results. I’m sure we all look forward to welcoming the Queen’s Speech just as soon as the coalition of chaos has been negotiated.
“I must let the House know – and the
‘I’m sure we all look forward to welcoming the Queen’s Speech when the coalition of chaos is negotiated’
rest of the nation know – that if that is not possible, the Labour Party stands ready to offer strong and stable leadership in the national interest.”
Labour secured 262 MPS at the election, up from the 232 elected in 2015.
The Conservatives remain the largest party but will require support from the 10 DUP MPS if they want to ensure they can pass legislation. Wearing a large red rose, Mr Corbyn praised fellow Labour MPS Diane Abbott and Keith Vaz. He said: “They paved the way, and I have to say they’ve put up with an awful lot by being pioneers in taking their seats in 1987.
“It’s vital for our democracy that all voices are heard and represented.”
Mr Corbyn also joked to Mr Bercow: “We look forward to this Parliament, however short it might be, that we can be the voice for change in our society because more people - particularly young people - than ever before took part in this recent General Election.
“They took part because they wanted to see things done differently in our society, they wanted our Parliament to represent them and deliver change for them.”