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Labour conference: Hope unites party, says Corbyn | Labour conference: Hope unites party, says Corbyn |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Jeremy Corbyn has dismissed reports of divisions as he arrived in Brighton for his first conference as Labour leader saying there was "hope" in the party. | Jeremy Corbyn has dismissed reports of divisions as he arrived in Brighton for his first conference as Labour leader saying there was "hope" in the party. |
Differences are expected to emerge over issues such as the renewal of Trident, possible military action in Syria, and the referendum on EU membership. | Differences are expected to emerge over issues such as the renewal of Trident, possible military action in Syria, and the referendum on EU membership. |
But Mr Corbyn said more united Labour than divided it. | But Mr Corbyn said more united Labour than divided it. |
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said earlier that democratic decision-making should not be confused with division. | Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said earlier that democratic decision-making should not be confused with division. |
Mr Corbyn was greeted by Labour's new deputy leader Tom Watson outside his hotel and posed for photographs with cheering supporters. | Mr Corbyn was greeted by Labour's new deputy leader Tom Watson outside his hotel and posed for photographs with cheering supporters. |
Asked what could be expected from the conference, the Islington North MP, who became Labour leader on 12 September, said "more hope and more optimism". | Asked what could be expected from the conference, the Islington North MP, who became Labour leader on 12 September, said "more hope and more optimism". |
He added: "Look at the unity out here." | He added: "Look at the unity out here." |
"Look at the hope people have got for a decent society where there is decent housing, decent education, a decent health service and hope for young people. That is what unites this party." | "Look at the hope people have got for a decent society where there is decent housing, decent education, a decent health service and hope for young people. That is what unites this party." |
Later, in an address to the Labour Women's Conference, Mr Corbyn said: "We've got a fantastic opportunity now here in 2015 to shape our party, shape our community, and move on to fantastic victories in the future... | |
"To liberate the poorest from the misery and poverty in which they live and to be a force for good for peace, human rights and justice around the world." | |
'10 years' | '10 years' |
Mr McDonnell said Mr Corbyn would go on a tour of the country in a "significant engagement exercise with the general public" after the conference, which begins on Sunday. | Mr McDonnell said Mr Corbyn would go on a tour of the country in a "significant engagement exercise with the general public" after the conference, which begins on Sunday. |
And in an interview with the Daily Mirror, Mr Watson predicted Mr Corbyn would lead Labour for 10 years, saying "We've got another decade of Jeremy at least." | And in an interview with the Daily Mirror, Mr Watson predicted Mr Corbyn would lead Labour for 10 years, saying "We've got another decade of Jeremy at least." |
He said talk of a successor was "far too premature". | He said talk of a successor was "far too premature". |
However, Labour's former interim leader Harriet Harman has highlighted the current lack of top jobs for women in the party, saying they had to "sort it out". | However, Labour's former interim leader Harriet Harman has highlighted the current lack of top jobs for women in the party, saying they had to "sort it out". |
In a speech to the women's conference, Ms Harman said "evidently we still have further to go to reach equality in our party. | |
"Now, we have a male leader, male deputy leader, male London mayoral candidate and male general secretary. These were all separate elections so it's not any of their fault - but we can't leave it as a clean sweep of men." | "Now, we have a male leader, male deputy leader, male London mayoral candidate and male general secretary. These were all separate elections so it's not any of their fault - but we can't leave it as a clean sweep of men." |
Mr Corbyn was criticised for not appointing women to the top jobs in his shadow cabinet, but he reiterated he had met his pledge to have a majority of female members. | |
"That's important for lots of reasons not least the message it gives out about this party," he said. | |
"But we don't have 50% of women MPs, so I want to continue the whole process of women-only shortlists." | |
'Proper debate' | |
Speaking to the BBC's Sunday Politics programme, Mr McDonnell said Labour had to "respect dissent" over policy among its members. | Speaking to the BBC's Sunday Politics programme, Mr McDonnell said Labour had to "respect dissent" over policy among its members. |
He added: "There'll be proper debate, much more time given to delegates from the constituency Labour parties or from the trade unions, to actually have a voice, less time of shadow cabinet members and others in the past who've talked down to members. | He added: "There'll be proper debate, much more time given to delegates from the constituency Labour parties or from the trade unions, to actually have a voice, less time of shadow cabinet members and others in the past who've talked down to members. |
"What we're trying to do is get the policy-making process as inclusive as possible ... some people will dissent from individual policies." | "What we're trying to do is get the policy-making process as inclusive as possible ... some people will dissent from individual policies." |
Mr McDonnell also told the Guardian Labour will back a charter requiring the government to deliver an overall surplus by 2019-20. | Mr McDonnell also told the Guardian Labour will back a charter requiring the government to deliver an overall surplus by 2019-20. |
The proposal commits the government to keep debt falling as a share of GDP each year and achieve a budget surplus by 2019-20. Governments will then be required to ensure there is a surplus in "normal times". | The proposal commits the government to keep debt falling as a share of GDP each year and achieve a budget surplus by 2019-20. Governments will then be required to ensure there is a surplus in "normal times". |
Mr McDonnell denied that members of the new Labour leadership were "deficit deniers" - pledging his party's support for Mr Osborne's charter plans and to "live within our means". | Mr McDonnell denied that members of the new Labour leadership were "deficit deniers" - pledging his party's support for Mr Osborne's charter plans and to "live within our means". |
Explaining how the party would achieve a surplus, Mr McDonnell said: "We will tackle the deficit but the dividing line between us and the Tories is how we tackle it. | Explaining how the party would achieve a surplus, Mr McDonnell said: "We will tackle the deficit but the dividing line between us and the Tories is how we tackle it. |
"Our basic line is we are not allowing either middle or low-earners or those on benefit to have to pay for the crisis. It is as simple as that." | "Our basic line is we are not allowing either middle or low-earners or those on benefit to have to pay for the crisis. It is as simple as that." |