Jeremy Corbyn Re-elected As Labour Leader, Calls For Unity

Jeremy Corbyn has been re-elected as leader of the Labour party, beating his rival Owen Smith and winning a slightly bigger mandate than when he succeeded the former leader Ed Miliband last year.

Corbyn won 313,209 (61.8 per cent) to Smith's 193,229 (38.2 per cent).

Corbyn was first elected Labour leader in September 2015, when he beat three other candidates and gained 59.5 per cent of the vote.

Turnout was higher this time, with 77.6 per cent of the 640,500 eligible party members, trade union members and registered supporters confirmed as taking part.

Corbyn, who said he was "honoured" by the victory, issued a rallying cry for Labour to re-unite and declared that he would "wipe the slate clean" after a summer of debate and disagreement. The time had come to turn Labour's fire on the Tories, the re-elected leader said.

"Together arguing for the real change this country needs I have no doubt that this party can win the next general election," Corbyn said.

The Labour leader, who repeatedly referred to the "Labour family", added: "We have much more in common than that which divides us; let's wipe that slate clean from today and get on with the work we've got to do as a party together."

Andy Flannagan, the Director of Christians on the Left, told Christian Today that the result bucked the trend of disillusionment in politics.

"In an age where many comment on the public's disenchantment with politics, this election has shown that many more people are bucking that trend, discovering that they have a voice, and have joined the Labour Party," he said. "It now has over four times as many members as the Conservative Party. The challenge, as Donald Trump will hopefully discover in November, is that enthusiasm and numbers at events where everyone already agrees with you, does not necessarily help make the case to the wider public. As Christians on the Left, we look forward to working with Jeremy and his team to help them do that."

News
Chin human rights group takes Myanmar junta to court over killings, rapes
Chin human rights group takes Myanmar junta to court over killings, rapes

The Chin have been badly treated throughout much of Myanmar's post-independence history.

Sir Brian Souter says the nation is 'seeing a rebirth of Christ-centred Christianity'
Sir Brian Souter says the nation is 'seeing a rebirth of Christ-centred Christianity'

Sir Brian Souter, the founder of Stagecoach and Megabus, has spoken candidly about the role of Christian faith in business and his view that Britain’s increasingly secular culture may be giving rise to a renewed and more authentic form of Christianity.

Report reveals religious and political shifts in UK
Report reveals religious and political shifts in UK

Faith identity and ideology "are assuming a more significant role in shaping political allegiance, civic participation, and the wider culture", a new report has found.

'Quiet revival' continues as Winchester sees Christmas surge
'Quiet revival' continues as Winchester sees Christmas surge

In some cases the numbers coming were double what was expected.