- Title: Jeremy Corbyn - the political activist who became Labour leader
- Date: 31st May 2017
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - JUNE 27, 2016) (REUTERS) LARGE CROWD OF CORBYN SUPPORTERS GATHERED OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT MORE OF SUPPORTERS HOLDING SIGNS READING (English) "KEEP CORBYN" and "CORBYN IN, TORIES OUT" VARIOUS OF CORBYN STANDING ON FIRE ENGINE WITH MOMENTUM GROUP FLAG, ADDRESSING CROWD (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH OPPOSITION LABOUR PARTY LEADER, JEREMY CORBYN, SAYING: "Don't let those people who wish us ill divide us, stay together strong and united (inaudible) /WALKS OFF STAGE CHILD HOLDING SIGN READING (English): "JEREMY FOR LEADER" (SOUNDBITE) (English) BRITISH SHADOW CHANCELLOR, JOHN MCDONNELL, SAYING: "Jeremy Corbyn will be standing again and I will be supporting him." / CROWDS CHEER CROWDS WAVING FLAGS (SOUNDBITE) (English) NEWLY APPOINTED BRITISH SHADOW HEALTH SECRETARY, DIANE ABBOTT, SAYING: "I will continue to support Jeremy Corbyn in public, in private, in parliament, in the media." CROWDS AND MEDIA GATHERED AROUND CORBYN AS HE LEAVES WITH POLICE ESCORT CROWDS FOLLOWING CORBYN CHANTING "CORBYN, CORBYN" AS HE WALKS WITH POLICE ESCORT INTO PARLIAMENT GROUNDS LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (FILE - AUGUST 16, 2016) (REUTERS) RAIL WORKERS PICKET LINE OUTSIDE LONDON BRIDGE STATION DURING STRIKE VARIOUS OF CORBYN STANDING AMONGST STRIKING RAIL WORKERS PLACARD READING (English): "CUT FARES NOT STAFF" VARIOUS OF CORBYN HOLDING GIANT RAIL TICKET READING (English): "YOUR RAIL SERVICES UNDER ATTACK"
- Embargoed: 14th June 2017 13:55
- Keywords: Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn election
- Location: LONDON, SWINDON, BRISTOL, MANCHESTER AND BRADFORD, ENGLAND, UK
- City: LONDON, SWINDON, BRISTOL, MANCHESTER AND BRADFORD, ENGLAND, UK
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Government/Politics,Elections/Voting
- Reuters ID: LVA0096J6P16V
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:A socialist stalwart, Jeremy Corbyn assumed the Labour Party's leadership in September 2015 after a campaign that largely framed him as a left-wing foil to then Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron.
As an MP, Corbyn was never afraid to vote against his party line and is often portrayed as more a campaigner than political leader.
Over the decades he's campaigned for peace in Northern Ireland, the arrest of Chilean dictator Pinochet, and against cuts to public services.
In the referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union in June 2016, Corbyn campaigned for the UK to remain in the bloc, but his message was perceived as lukewarm.
Calls for Corbyn to step down after the Leave result prompted another Labour leadership race, which Corbyn comfortably won, but left the parliamentary party in disarray.
When British Prime Minister Theresa May called a snap election in April this year she was enjoying a runaway lead in the opinion polls.
But in the last 10 days Labour has narrowed the gap on the Conservatives with a YouGov poll released on Tuesday (May 30) suggesting May could lose 20 seats and her 17-seat working majority in the 650-seat British parliament, leading to a hung parliament.
Election campaigning was briefly halted for a few days following the Manchester suicide attack which killed 22 people.
Corbyn sparked outrage amongst his opponents by saying Britain's involvement in foreign wars had increased the threat of terrorism.
Labour's election manifesto has signalled a shift to the left as the party capitalises on voters concerns over education and health with the slogan "For the many, not the few." - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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