Jeremy Corbyn today joked with rowdy photographers that 'under Socialism you will all cooperate' as he hit the campaign trail in Blackpool.

The Labour leader issued the message as the media jostled for position during a picture opportunity in the seaside resort.

'No guys, you've got to cooperate,' the veteran left-winger told the crowd.

'You see, under Socialism you will all cooperate.'

Despite the light-hearted nature of the jibe, Mr Corbyn was branded 'sinister' on social media, with some users suggesting it showed how everyone will have to 'obey the dear leader' if Labour wins power in the election.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn issued the message as the media jostled for position during a picture opportunity in Blackpool (he is pictured while making the joke to the media)

Mr Corbyn was in Blackpool announcing the latest part of Labour's big -spending campaign platform - pledging six years of free degree-level training under a National Education Service.

The Tories claim that the party's spending plans - which include re-nationalising rail, water and power - would cost £1.2trillion.

A Survation poll today showed Labour narrowing the gap with the Conservatives, although Boris Johnson's party is still six points ahead.

Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner taunted Mr Johnson and Nigel Farage today as she said Labour had nothing to fear from the Tories or the Brexit Party in its northern heartlands.

Mr Farage announced yesterday he will stand his candidates down in the 317 seats the Tories won in 2017 to give Mr Johnson a better chance at winning a majority.

The Brexit Party will instead focus its election efforts on trying to win Leave-voting Labour-held constituencies.

But Ms Rayner, the shadow education secretary, laid down the gauntlet to Mr Johnson and Mr Farage as she said after delivering a speech in Blackpool: 'Bring it on.'

Ms Rayner, pictured alongside Mr Corbyn in Blackpool, said earlier this morning that Labour would scrap tuition fees 'no ifs, no buts'

Nigel Farage yesterday announced his candidates will not stand in seats won by the Tories in 2017 as he delivered a boost to Boris Johnson

Answering a question about what Mr Farage's decision could mean for Labour's hopes of retaining seats on December 12, Ms Rayner said: 'I don't fear the Brexit Party.

'I have been disgusted by what some in the Brexit Party and in the Conservatives including our Prime Minister have said to try and divide communities like ours in the north west.'

She added: 'I don't fear the Brexit Party or Boris Johnson. Bring it on.'

Ms Rayner and Jeremy Corbyn today set out the party's education pledges - but one of Labour's policies was immediately plunged into uncertainty.

Mr Corbyn said during his speech that Labour would provide a free school meal for every child in primary school, paid for by applying VAT to private school fees.

But Labour activists voted at the party's annual conference at the end of September to abolish all private schools.