Jeremy Corbyn: ‘Labour is the party of women’s equality’ Jeremy Corbyn has branded Labour the “party of women’s equality” and criticised Tory austerity measures that “disproportionately” affect women. The […]

Jeremy Corbyn has branded Labour the “party of women’s equality” and criticised Tory austerity measures that “disproportionately” affect women.

The Labour leader arrived in Brighton to speak at the Labour women’s conference which was taking place before the formal start of the annual party conference on Sunday.

Following familiar chants of “Oh, Jeremy Corbyn!”, he claimed that although the Tories have a female leader in Theresa May, their policies have “hurt women a lot”.

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.

He said: “It’s without question the Labour Party is the party of women’s equality, no matter who else might try to claim that mantle. I acknowledge that the Tories have a woman leader but their policies have actually hurt women a lot.”

‘Unacceptable’ abuse aimed at women in public life

Corbyn hit out at the abuse targeted at female Labour MPs including Luciana Berger and shadow home secretary Diane Abbott.

“The unbelievable and disgusting and disgraceful levels of abuse that women receive in public life is unacceptable – from anybody, to anybody – it has got to stop,” he said, adding in a message to some Labour supporters who engaged in attacks at women MPs from other wings of the party that “all women who represent our party deserve our unqualified support.”

Drive for greater democracy

Corbyn insisted that his drive to give Labour members more control over the party will help him oust May from Downing Street and change the “system of inequality and injustice” in our society.

He claimed that his plans to give a greater role to his grassroots support will result in a “more open, more democratic party” with the “widest possible participation”.

He said: “Wide participation in policymaking leads to more support for the policies we get, leads us to that movement that will bring about the end of this government but – beyond that – the end of the system of inequality and injustice in our society.”

Before arriving at the conference centre, Corbyn played table tennis at a club which provides support for people with learning difficulties and refugees.

Meanwhile, shadow women and equalities minister Dawn Butler launched a “period poverty campaign” with a promise to provide funding for free sanitary products for secondary schools, foodbanks and homeless shelters.

(With additional reporting from Press Association)