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Labour 'staking out new centre ground', says Jeremy Corbyn | Labour 'staking out new centre ground', says Jeremy Corbyn |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Labour is "staking out the new centre ground in British politics", Jeremy Corbyn has said as the party leaders gave their new year messages. | |
Mr Corbyn said the prospect of a "new Britain" was "closer than ever" and he was leading a "government in waiting". | Mr Corbyn said the prospect of a "new Britain" was "closer than ever" and he was leading a "government in waiting". |
Prime Minister Theresa May used her new year message to say Britons will feel "renewed confidence and pride" in 2018. | |
Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable called for a second public vote on Brexit and "a real cash injection for the NHS". | |
Labour defied predictions of a landslide defeat in the 2017 general election to secure a hung parliament. | Labour defied predictions of a landslide defeat in the 2017 general election to secure a hung parliament. |
The result saw the prime minister lose her Commons majority, but the Conservatives remain the largest party. | |
Mrs May acknowledged that 2017, during which she called a snap election, was a challenging year. | |
"That is true for each of us personally," she added. The prime minister also lost three senior cabinet members to scandal during 2017. | |
However, she said: "The real test is not whether challenges come; it's how you face them. | |
"Whether you allow a task to overcome you, or tackle it head on with purpose and resolve." | |
'Weak and divided' | |
The Labour leader used his message to attack a "failed system" of governance and "stagnant economy" of wealth disparity run by a "self-serving elite". | The Labour leader used his message to attack a "failed system" of governance and "stagnant economy" of wealth disparity run by a "self-serving elite". |
The 2017 general election showed "the establishment's secret is out: they're not as strong as they appear" and have "no idea how to fix their broken system," Mr Corbyn said. | The 2017 general election showed "the establishment's secret is out: they're not as strong as they appear" and have "no idea how to fix their broken system," Mr Corbyn said. |
"The old political consensus is finished," he added. | "The old political consensus is finished," he added. |
He insisted Labour now occupied the new centre ground in British politics. | He insisted Labour now occupied the new centre ground in British politics. |
"We are staking out the new centre ground in British politics, backing the things which most people want but are blocked by vested interests. | "We are staking out the new centre ground in British politics, backing the things which most people want but are blocked by vested interests. |
"We are a government in waiting, while the Conservatives are weak and divided and stuck in an outdated rut with no new ideas," he said. | "We are a government in waiting, while the Conservatives are weak and divided and stuck in an outdated rut with no new ideas," he said. |
Mr Corbyn said Labour's mission was to "give people support and security and use their talents, unleash their creativity and fulfil their hopes". | Mr Corbyn said Labour's mission was to "give people support and security and use their talents, unleash their creativity and fulfil their hopes". |
"The hope of a new Britain, run in the interests of the many, not the few, is closer than ever before. | "The hope of a new Britain, run in the interests of the many, not the few, is closer than ever before. |
"Together we can, and we will, deliver it." | "Together we can, and we will, deliver it." |
'Closer to fairer society' | |
The prime minister said that while Brexit will be "crucial" in the coming year, it is "not the limit" of the government's ambitions. | |
It will focus on schools, the police and NHS to change people's daily lives. | |
Whilst 2017 was a turbulent year for Mrs May, she described it as one of progress, with the first stage of Brexit talks completed in December. | |
"Most people just want the government to get on and deliver a good Brexit, and that's exactly what we are doing", she said. | |
Mrs May said 2018 would also see her move closer to her goal of a "stronger and fairer" society. | |
She said the government will "build more good schools" and more homes, "so housing becomes more affordable", while also working to "enhance our natural environment for the next generation". | |
'A lot of work to do' | 'A lot of work to do' |
The Liberal Democrat leader, like Labour, used his message to confront "the establishment", saying his party was "unafraid to swim against the tide" and "stand up for the underdog". | |
Sir Vince, who replaced Tim Farron as leader in July, said his party had "a lot of work to do" in 2018 to persuade the public to get behind them. | Sir Vince, who replaced Tim Farron as leader in July, said his party had "a lot of work to do" in 2018 to persuade the public to get behind them. |
In a video message, he said: "There's still time to offer people the choice of an exit from Brexit; there's a big opportunity to win a real cash injection for the NHS and for schools; and to win the argument for thousands more affordable homes." | In a video message, he said: "There's still time to offer people the choice of an exit from Brexit; there's a big opportunity to win a real cash injection for the NHS and for schools; and to win the argument for thousands more affordable homes." |
"All over the country people are getting behind these campaigns by joining and supporting the Liberal Democrats." | "All over the country people are getting behind these campaigns by joining and supporting the Liberal Democrats." |
He urged his party to "get back to what we're good at" by mobilising grassroots supporters, adding "let's make 2018 our year". | He urged his party to "get back to what we're good at" by mobilising grassroots supporters, adding "let's make 2018 our year". |