Thursday, June 30, 2016

Jeremy Corbyn Stands Defiant Amid Labor Leadership Challenges
Jeremy Corbyn's leadership has been under pressure from more center-right forces in the Labour Party since the Brexit vote. | Photo: Reuters

29 June 2016
Telesur

In his speech, the emabattled Labour Party leader outlined his political ideals that have guided his leadership.

Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn speaking in London Wednesday explained that he is “very proud to be carrying on” as the party's leader despite calls from the opposition and within his own party to resign in the wake of the Brexit from the European Union.

Speaking outside the School of Oriental and African Studies, Corbyn said that when he became Labour party leader last year he “wanted to change the way we do politics."

He explained that like many of his supporters, it was not his wish to leave the EU, which now presents a difficult economic situation, saying it was important to keep protecting workers rights and environmental sustainability regulations.

Corbyn explained that austerity measures would only make things worse. Since assuming the leadership he said that he was determined that “we would challenge the politics and the economics of austerity … Austerity is a political choice, not an economic necessity."

“A successful economy is one that reduces inequality, that does provide for full employment, that does use the skills of everybody to the good of all of us,” he added.

He said that when he entered the leadership contest last year, he was able to increase party membership to over 400,000 people, promoting values “of the the trade unions, of the left, of the labour movement.”

During his speech he was heckled by the crowd, “What about Europe? Where were you when we needed you?” a man shouted. Corbyn supported the "remain" campaign in last week’s referendum to leave the EU.

Prime Minister David Cameron also supported the “remain” camp and is planning to resign from the Conservative leadership in October on the back of the Brexit. Cameron in parliament previously told Corbyn: “for heaven’s sake man, go!”

Corbyn lost a vote of no confidence on Tuesday by a significant margin. On Monday, a total of 44 shadow ministers resigned amid the "Blairite" coup. Angela Eagle is expected to declare for the leadership Thursday, according to reports from the BBC.

Corbyn's leadership was backed by a number of Britain's trade union leaders in a statement made today.

John McDonnell, Labour's deputy leader, said that the Parliamentary Labour Party trying to out Corbyn is “a lynch mob without the rope.”

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