Jeremy Corbyn, after suffering one of the heaviest defeats at the just concluded elections in the United Kingdom, has announced his plans to quit as Labour leader
Mr Jeremy Corbyn in his statement and after seeing the Labour party’s majority seats in the House of Commons cut significantly by Tories, said he will be standing down as the party’s leader. He said he had no plans of leading Labour into another election campaign.
He said: ‘I want to say this, I will remain the MP for Islington North and I’m proud to represent the people of Islington North.’
Mr Corbyn has said he will continue to lead the party during a “period of reflection” as Labour decides the direction it should take next
The exit poll as we reported last night, had predicted that Labour would win just 191 seats, the Scottish National Party 55, Liberal Democrats 13, the Brexit Party none, Plaid Cymru three and Greens one, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson with a majority of 86.
The outcome the Labour leader, Mr Jeremy Corbyn who had some backing from the black community, described as ‘disappointing’. He said:
“I will discuss with our party to ensure there is a process now of reflection on this result and on the policies that the party will take going forward,” he said.
“And I will lead the party during that period to ensure that discussion takes place and we move on into the future.”
The Labour leader speaking after that announcement he thanked his family and close friends for their support, while he criticised media treatment of those close to him and his party in general.
He said: “This is obviously a very disappointing night for the Labour Party, with the result that we’ve got.“
He defended his party’s policies but said Brexit has “overridden so much of a normal political debate”.
“I recognise that has contributed to the result that the Labour Party has received this evening all across the country,” he said.
“The issues of social justice and the issues of needs of people will not go away just because Brexit is dealt with in the way Boris Johnson plans to deal with it at the moment.“
Mr Corbyn added: “And I’m proud in Parliament and outside that we will forever continue the cause for socialism, for social justice and for a society based on the needs of all rather than the greed of a few.
“That is what makes our party what it is and I’m very proud of the achievements of our party and the development of its manifesto and its ideas.
“I tell you what, those ideas and those principles are eternal and they will be there for all time.”