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Jeremy Corbyn today claimed he was leaving Labour in a position to win the next general election.

The outgoing leader, whose successor is revealed tomorrow, led the party to its worst defeat for 84 years last December.

But in a valedictory Facebook post to supporters, he insisted: “I firmly believe that together we have the ideas, policies, energy and organisation to win a Labour government next time.

“We can build a society based on social justice, equality, and care for our environment.

“But it will not come about unless we fight for it.”

Mr Corbyn is expected to return to the backbenches having led the party for four-and-a-half years.

(Image: Michael Lloyd)

He did better than predicted at the 2017 general election but was at the helm when Labour lost constituencies it had held for decades at December's poll, which gifted Boris Johnson an 80-seat majority.

Addressing activists on Facebook, Mr Corbyn said: “Over the past five years we have changed the agenda on austerity and how the economy is run.

“In 2015, opposing austerity was seen as radical; today it is the political mainstream.

(Image: Getty)

“A majority of the public supports Labour on issues such as public ownership and higher taxes on the richest.

“We now look forward as a party of economic inclusion, climate justice, peace and human rights.”

It comes after his wife spoke out to defend his legacy - breaking almost five years of public silence.

(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

In an article for the Mirror, Laura Alvarez said it has been “incredibly hard” to watch him “vilified” and “hear his words twisted” - while he was "attacked" by colleagues in his own party.

And in a warning to the next leader not to steer to the centre, she said Labour's "commitment to socialism" must not die.

Mr Corbyn led Labour to its worst general election defeat since 1935 in December.

As the party prepares to unveil his successor on Saturday, critics have blamed his 'unclear' position on Brexit and accused him of failing to stamp out anti-Semitism in the party.

But defiant Ms Alvarez wrote: "I will never regret our dream of a better quality of life for everybody. It is now up to our movement to ensure it does not remain a dream."

Keir Starmer is expected to win the leadership race - but could have to perform his first PMQs by video-link thanks to the coronavirus.

Parliamentary authorities are working "flat out" to to allow a remote PMQs session - the first ever - when Parliament returns from Easter recess in late April.

(Image: PA)

Clerk of the House Dr John Benger said any changes will have to be approved by the Commons.

But he added: "The House has already shown it is more than willing to change how it works in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.

"And the recent successful work – done at great speed – to enable committee sessions to take place virtually, shows the ingenuity and commitment of colleagues across the House Service and Parliamentary Digital Service."