What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Thousands of people packed the streets of Liverpool last night in a vast rally in support of Jeremy Corbyn .

The leader stood atop a modified ex-fire engine as he rejected fears Labour will split - despite criticising "hostile" MPs' "coordinated resignations".

He faced attacks from fellow MPs for attending the planned event instead of a proposed TV hustings with rival Owen Smith .

But as he was endorsed by the CWU postal union yesterday he insisted: "The idea I live in some remote bubble of adulation is frankly ridiculous."

And despite rain the rally saw what was thought to be the biggest crowd for Mr Corbyn yet - with one estimate putting the numbers at between 7,000 and 10,000.

The city's Lime Street was closed to accommodate the enormous banner-carrying crowds as they spilled out from the steps of St George’s Hall.

Mr Corbyn had been preceded on stage by speeches from Liverpool Labour councillors.

He was introduced by his Parliamentary aide Steve Rotheram, who joked he had tried to get Mr Corbyn to “button his shirt and straighten his tie”, mocking criticism by David Cameron .

There was a huge cheer including some screaming as Mr Corbyn appeared on top of the makeshift stage.

His speech was met with loud applause from the crowds as he called for a new style of politics - calling on people to “reach out and support others”.

(Image: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

He covered topics ranging from Hillsborough and Orgreave to the importance of a free NHS and students being left with massive debts.

And he called for a Labour party “that works for all” with improved investment in areas such as Merseyside.

Before the rally he insisted his support had “grown a great deal” in an interview with the Liverpool Echo.

He brushed aside criticisms that he would not unite the party and be a viable prime minister, saying people are “looking for something different, that challenges the orthodoxy”.

(Image: Getty)

Despite accusing Labour MPs of being "hostile to me" and resigning "in a coordinated way", he rejected talk of a permanent split like in the 1980s.

"I don't see why there has to be a split at all," he said.

"This is a democratic election. Large numbers of people are taking part in it. I am pleased about that.

"Large numbers of people are attending events and discussing things. That's got to be good.

(Image: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

"I hope Labour MPs who have been hostile to me, indeed sadly those who chose to resign in a coordinated way straight after the election[sic], will recognise that we have a duty and responsibility as Labour MPs to represent the Labour cause, to represent the history of our movement as well as the future of our movement.

"Come together."

Some 172 MPs told Mr Corbyn to resign in a no confidence vote and dozens of frontbench roles in Westminster stand empty.

The proposed hustings on Channel 4 News was turned into an interview with rival Owen Smith instead.

He also insisted he would not split the Labour Party - and blamed talk about a permanent divide on the "hard left".

(Image: Getty)

He said: "It is the Labour Party or nothing for me. There is no other vehicle that is going to come along.

"The people who are talking of a split are the hard left."

He was speaking after he was warned by shadow chancellor and Cobyn ally John McDonnell at the weekend to distance himself from talk of a split.

Asked if he is Blarite, a Milibandite or a Corbynista, Mr Smith replied: "I'm none of those. I'm a Smithite, very, very clear.

(Image: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

"If I had somebody whom I hold up as my great hero, it's none of those, it's Nye Bevan, somebody who is a practical socialist."

He added: "You are oversimplifying what left and right wants in this country. The reality is people who are middle class, working class, salaried, working week-to-week, day-to-day, all want to see public services properly provided for or want to see the wealthiest in society pay their fair share.

"All want to see a Government that's investing in different parts of the country. That isn't left or right, that's just good common sense."

Both men will return to Liverpool alongside thousands of activists for the party conference in September - where the winner of the contest will be announced.