Corbyn appeals for unity after bruising contest

POLITICAL EDITOR

AT the end of a bitter twomonth fight Jeremy Corbyn has made an optimistic plea for unity after being re-elected Labour leader. He defeated opponent Owen Smith and strengthened his mandate with a 61.8 per cent share of the 505,000 votes cast, up from the 59.5 per cent that first secured him the leadership last year.

The Islington North MP triumphed in all three parts of the electorate – full members, supporters from affiliated bodies such as unions, and registered supporters who paid £25 to vote.

The contest was triggered by a slew of shadow cabinet resignations and three-quarters of Corbyn’s MPs backing a no confidence vote in him over his perceived dithering on Brexit.

After accusations of online abuse, vandalism, anti-Semitism, and fears of a purge of Labour MPs and staff, Corbyn used his acceptance speech to urge the “Labour family” to come together and offered to “wipe the slate clean”.

Corbyn said the contest had been “passionate and often partisan”, with regrettable things said on both sides.

“Politics is demeaned and corroded by intimidation and abuse. It is not my way and it is not the Labour way – and never will be.”

With Labour’s membership tripling to 650,000 since the 2015 election, he