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Jeremy Corbyn was briefly in Liverpool this morning, starting a lengthy and somewhat complicated train journey to Hull in a bid to expose the problems created by years of under-investment in rail and transport across the North of England.

He invited the ECHO to join him on the first leg to Manchester - where we discussed his vision for a Crossrail for the North, as well as Frank Field's resignation, Brexit, his views on the antisemitism issues facing the party and a forthcoming appearance at Bongo's Bingo in Liverpool.

Trains

The whole point of Mr Corbyn's journey today was to show how what Labour says is a lack of investment in rail infrastructure in the North is badly letting commuters and passengers down.

His journey took him along the route that a "Crossrail for the North" line would take - starting his day at Liverpool Lime Street and heading all the way to Hull via Manchester and Leeds.

As we took our seats alongside the Labour leader, he explained to us why investing £10 billion in the Crossrail for the North idea would be a top priority for a Labour government.

(Image: Liverpoool Echo)

Mr Corbyn said: "We are making the point that a lack of investment in Crossrail for the North means that a journey from Liverpool to Hull can take as long as three hours - whereas a journey from London to Liverpool is around two hours.

"We are making that journey today to make the point that a Labour government would invest far more in the North East and the North West and also that a Labour government would make the reality of Crossrail for the North.

"John Prescott first proposed this around 15 years ago, government endlessly delays it, refuses to endorse electrification of the whole route. We are very clear, we would do it.

"(Metro mayors) Andy Burnham and Steve Rotheram have consistently made the point that there has to be a voice for investment in the North.

"My view is that a national investment bank with regional transformation funds, locally controlled - will mean there will be much more fairness in investment in the North.

"At the moment it's a disparity of about three or four to one between London and the South East and the North, it's completely wrong."

When asked how Labour would afford such an investment, he added: "We will pay for it through a combination of government investment and state borrowing to do so.

"A Labour government would borrow to invest, you can't cut your way to prosperity - you invest your way to prosperity."

Frank Field

(Image: PA Wire)

When offered a very generous amount of time with the Leader of the Opposition, we felt it was important to get answers on a number of topical issues.

Last week there were few more pressing topics than that of Birkenhead MP Frank Field, who dramatically resigned the Labour whip claiming that under Mr Corbyn's leadership, Labour had become a 'force for antisemitism' and that the party was allowing bullying and intimidation to take place at all levels.

Asked for his reaction to his long-time colleague's decision, Mr Corbyn said: "I was very sad and very surprised actually, I have known Frank for a very long time, yes he has maverick opinions on lots of things, there's nothing wrong with that.

"I worked with him on the social security select committee in the past, we didn't always agree - but we managed to have a good relationship. I am sad that he has decided to take this course of action."

Mr Field has today refused to hold a by-election for his Birkenhead seat and said that he would challenge legally any attempt to revoke his Labour leadership.

(Image: Liverpoool Echo)

But the party leader made it clear that by resigning the whip, he cannot be a member.

He said: "He has resigned the whip and therefore is ineligible to be in the Labour party because you have to be part of the Parliamentary Labour Party if you are elected as a Labour MP."

But Mr Corbyn was resolute in response to the claims of bullying and antisemitism that are continuing to dog the party - and were referenced heavily in Mr Field's resignation letter.

He said: "Bullying has no place whatsoever in the party and obviously I condemn it and if there are allegations then obviously they must be looked at.

"There has to be open, democratic debate in the party but there is no place for bullying and on antisemitism, it is unacceptable, it is wrong, it is not condoned in any way in our party or our society and we have made that very clear.

"But I thank Frank for his service to the party and for his work in Parliament and I am surprised at the decision he has made."

Luciana Berger

(Image: PA)

This weekend Wavertree MP Luciana Berger wrote an article in the Mirror in which she said it is now up to Mr Corbyn to decide if he wants to keep her in the party.

Ms Berger said that the ongoing antisemitism row is making many Jewish people feel unwelcome in the party - and detailed the regular abuse she recieves.

Speaking today, Mr Corbyn was firm in his stance on antisemitism and said he would support Ms Berger and anyone who was receiving such abuse.

He said: "Antisemitic abuse is completely wrong said to anybody in any form in our society and I obviously support those MPs that are suffering any kind of abuse and I know Luciana has received a lot of abuse over the years.

"She is very effective in her work on mental health and her advocacy for those kind of decent policies in society.

"I would just make it clear to Luciana and all the others - antisemitism has no place whatsoever in our society or in our party.

"I am absolutely and resolutely against racism in our society - I have spent my life as an anti-racism campaigner and I'm not going to change."

Brexit

Later this month the Labour Party Conference will be held in Liverpool and the subject of a potential second European Union referendum will be alive around the city.

There is the potential for a motion to be brought forward to the conference calling for the party to adopt a policy of holding another vote on any final deal - a move that would require Mr Corbyn and his leadership to change tack on their current policy.

He said he is 'keeping all his options open' - but suggested his idea of a 'jobs first Brexit' remains his key position.

He said: "The government has messed up the Brexit negotiations enormously.

"Boris Johnson today announced that the Chequers agreements is off the table - when he himself signed up to it and spent two years as Foreign Secretary supposedly as part of the negotiating team - it is a complete mess and a ludicrous situation.

"We have made our position clear, we want and would achieve a trading relationship that is tariff free - and a customs union with Europe would ensure that our manufacturing and service industries could continue to trade with Europe.

"More than half of our trade is with Europe and the idea that you can go to some cliff edge Brexit in a few months time with equanimity is ridiculous, we would obviously challenge that in Parliament.

We are keeping our options open and will obviously debate the issue at conference, but crucially it has to be about trade with Europe and protecting jobs.

Manufacturing jobs from Sunderland to Liverpool all rely on trade with Europe.

Asked if a second vote could form part of the party's next election manifesto, he added: "We haven't written the manifesto for the next General Election, we don't know when that will be - all I can say is we are ready for it.

"And we are ready for it and we are ready for it in order to make arrangements with Europe that protect jobs.

"We obviously appreciate that a referendum took place but we are keeping all our options open."

Liverpool and Bongo's Bingo

Just before we alighted at Manchester we felt compelled to ask Mr Corbyn how he was feeling about taking to the stage for a very special edition of Bongo's Bingo at city centre venue Camp and Furnace during the party conference later this month.

He responded: "I think it is going to be an interesting education for me - and I am looking forward to it."

And on coming to Liverpool in general, the Labour leader added: "I am really looking forward to having our conference in Liverpool - what a fantastic city, what a fantastic buzz.

"We are starting on the Saturday night with a rally but I will also be making a lot of visits around the place."

The Labour Party Conference will take place in Liverpool from Sunday September 23 to Wednesday September 26.