Jeremy Corbyn says Labour are now the centrists in British politics as he sets his sights on Number 10
4 min read
Jeremy Corbyn claimed that Labour now occupies the “centre ground” of British politics as he called on his party to unite and prove it is ready for power.
The Labour leader told his party’s conference Britain had moved decisively to the left since the financial crash, leaving them “on the threshold of power”.
In a lengthy address punctuated by several standing ovations from activists, Mr Corbyn said the snap election – which saw Labour gain 30 seats to deny the Conservatives a majority – proved that his socialist agenda was popular.
Mr Corbyn said: “It is often said that elections can only be won from the centre ground. And in a way that’s not wrong - so long as it’s clear that the political centre of gravity isn’t fixed or unmovable, nor is it where the establishment pundits like to think it is.
“It shifts as people’s expectations and experiences change and political space is opened up. Today’s centre ground is certainly not where it was 20 or 30 years ago.
“A new consensus is emerging from the great economic crash and the years of austerity, when people started to find political voice for their hopes for something different and better. 2017 may be the year when politics finally caught up with the crash of 2008 - because we offered people a clear choice.
“We need to build a still broader consensus around the priorities we set in the election, making the case for both compassion and collective aspiration. This is the real centre of gravity of British politics. We are now the political mainstream.”
At an hour and 13 minutes, the conference speech was the longest in living memory by a party leader and featured only one new policy – a pledge to end “forced gentrification and social cleansing” by giving social tenants more rights.
There was nothing new on Brexit, although Mr Corbyn again stressed that Labour only supports continued membership of the European single market during a “temporary” post-Brexit transition phase.
But Mr Corbyn insisted Labour’s “popular” manifesto at the last election provided the perfect foundation to propel the party to power – so long as it heals its long-standing splits which have again been evident in Brighton.
“I hope we have left our own divisions behind,” he said. “But we must make our unity practical. We know we are campaign-ready.
“We must be government-ready too. Our aspirations matched by our competence.”
He said the party had put on three million votes in June because the public were “hopeful that things could change, and that Labour could make a difference”.
Mr Corbyn went on: “Many hadn’t voted before, or not for years past. But they put their faith in our party. We offered an antidote to apathy and despair.
“Let everyone understand - We will not let you down. Because we listen to you, because we believe in you. Labour can and will deliver a Britain for the many not just the few.”
Shadow Cabinet members lined up to praise Mr Corbyn’s speech, and back his message that Labour was now on the side of most voters.
Emily Thornberry, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, said: “I actually think we've been on a rightward slide in this country for many years and when I speak to our friends on the continent of Europe, they say 'we’ve looked at your manifesto, it seems pretty mainstream to us’.
"There are certain governments that shift it - the '45 government shifted, the Thatcher government shifted the other way and I think when we finally get the opportunity we will be shifting it to the centre as we see it and I think as the vast majority of people in Britain see it."
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said it was a “visionary” speech.
“The range of issues he identified were the key issues facing our country,” he said. “The Government is in absolute disarray, falling apart...I think if the general election campaign had gone on another couple of weeks, we'd be in government now."
Unite General Secretary, Len McCluskey added: "Corbyn's Labour can and will transform our country to make it work for the many not the few. Our party leaves this conference confident, united, invigorated and determined to build a better Britain."
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