Corbyn in plea for party unity after securing victory by huge margin

Jeremy Corbyn today vowed to heal the Labour Party’s wounds as he was re-elected leader by a decisive margin.

He said “things are often said in the heat of the debate…that we later regret” as he demanded the party come together to fight Tory plans for grammar schools and and asked activists to embark on a new campaign next Saturday.

The leader, who won 61.8 per cent of the vote, delivered a conciliatory speech as he was re-confirmed in post after a long and sometimes bitter contest this summer.

He mounted a new attack on the “hard right” government of Theresa May as he called on Labour members to unite around opposition to Tory education policy and the challenges of tackling child poverty, low pay and the refugee crisis.

Corbyn is aiming to rally Labour MPs, who helped trigger the leadership race with a vote of “no confidence”, and activists with public campaigns in what appears to be an effort to move on from the in-fighting that has scarred the last 12 months.

He also pledged to defy Labour’s dire poll ratings and take the party to victory in a general election.

“Together, arguing for the real change this country needs I have no doubt that this party can win the next election whenever Theresa May decides to call it and form the next government.”

Corbyn’s leadership has been hamstrung by internal bickering from both sides of the party but he sought to move on with a condemnation of abuse and a harder attack on Tory decisions in government.

“Politics is demeaned and corroded by intimidation and abuse. It is not my way and it is not the Labour way,” he said.

“Now is the time for all of us to focus every ounce of our energy on exposing and defeating the Tories and the damage they are doing to our country. Theresa May’s Government isn’t a new government it’s David Cameron’s government with a new hard right edge, repackaged with progressive slogans but threatening to take the country backwards and dithering as we face the historic challenges of Brexit.”