Labour should welcome ‘young energy’, says Jeremy Corbyn Jeremy Corbyn has urged Labour to welcome “young energy” into the party amid claims his hard left supporters have been […]

Jeremy Corbyn has urged Labour to welcome “young energy” into the party amid claims his hard left supporters have been intimidating and bullying opponents.

‘We should welcome new people, fresh ideas, and young energy into our party’- Jeremy Corbyn

In a speech to Labour councillors, the party leader said they must “embrace” mass participation if they hope to reverse years of Conservative Party austerity policies.

The i politics newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

His intervention comes after the long-standing Labour leader of Haringey Council, Claire Kober, announced she was quitting, complaining of a campaign of “sexism” and “bullying” by Mr Corbyn’s supporters.

Haringey ‘bullying’

Addressing the Labour local government conference in Nottingham, Mr Corbyn urged the party to come together to defeat the Tories.

“We should welcome new people, fresh ideas, and young energy into our party,” he said.

“It’s a mass participation that we all must embrace, because what our communities are facing is no less than the dismantling of the civilised society we all love.

“It will only be defended if we campaign together – members, councillors and MPs together.”

NEC intervention

Mr Corbyn also defended Labour’s national executive committee (NEC) intervening in Haringey.

In a highly unusual move, the NEC – which is now controlled by Corbyn supporters – called for a halt to the Haringey Development Vehicle (HDV) programme over the council’s partnership with a private company.

‘We must urgently move on from Tory austerity’ – Jeremy Corbyn

Mr Corbyn acknowledged that government cuts meant councils were faced with “appalling choices” and said Haringey believed they were acting in the best interests of residents.

However he added: “But HDV is highly controversial with local people worried about their futures.

‘Failed privatisation’

“That’s why 40 per cent of Labour councillors opposed the proposals, as did the majority of party members in both CLPs (constituency Labour parties), both Labour MPs, and local unions.

“It has been a unique situation which is why the NEC unanimously asked the council leadership to put their plans on hold and take part in a mediation process to bring everyone together.”

Mr Corbyn also said the collapse of outsourcing giant Carillion and the bailout of the East Coast Mainline franchise had undermined the arguments for privatisation.

“We must urgently move on from Tory austerity and the failed privatisation obsession that has allowed services for the many to become cash cows for the few,” he said.

Press Association