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
House of Lords urged to back abolition of non-crime hate incidents
House of Lords urged to back abolition of non-crime hate incidents

The House of Lords is being urged to vote in favour of abolishing controversial non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs). 

World is at a 'dangerous tipping point', say Church leaders in appeal for peace
World is at a 'dangerous tipping point', say Church leaders in appeal for peace

The Church leaders said that the recent escalation in Iran and the Middle East had only added to the "distressing list" of ongoing conflicts including those in Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, and Myanmar.

Faith communities generate £250m annually for Welsh economy - report
Faith communities generate £250m annually for Welsh economy - report

Faith communities across Wales are delivering social action worth at least £250m a year while playing a vital role in addressing poverty, loneliness and mental health pressures.

How Christians should respond when senior public figures are arrested
How Christians should respond when senior public figures are arrested

The first thing Christians must do is uphold the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty'.