Jeremy Corbyn mocked for describing 2019 as 'quite the year'
Jeremy Corbyn has been mocked for describing 2019 as “quite the year” for the country and Labour.
Politicians from the party and commentators piled on to the leader’s comments in his new year message.
The year saw Labour lose 60 seats to the Conservatives in this month’s general election, conceding the influence it had on the hung parliament. Mr Corbyn pledged to stand down following the result.
In his speech, he said: “2019 has been quite the year for our country and for our Labour movement.
“And now we are not just entering a new year but a new decade. And the period ahead could not be more important.
“It will be crucial if we are to stop irreversible damage being caused by the climate crisis and the particular effects that has on people in the global south; if we are to stop the pain plaguing our country: food banks, poverty and people struggling to get by; if we are to protect our precious NHS.
“It won’t be easy. But we have built a movement. We are the resistance to Boris Johnson.
“We will be campaigning every day. We will be on the front line, both in parliament and on the streets.”
Former Labour MP Ian Austin, who left the Labour Party after criticising its anti-semitism issue, condemned Mr Corbyn’s comments: “What will it take for Jeremy Corbyn to understand the damage his dreadful leadership has done to the Labour Party and the extent to which he and the party were rejected by the public?
“Under his leadership the party was poisoned with racism, extremism and intolerance.
“He ought to be apologising to the Labour supporters he let down and the MPs who lost their seats.”
Daily Mirror associate editor Kevin Maguire called on Mr Corbyn to step down immediately.
Understated “quite the year” would work had Labour won the election but it sounds clueless from a leader in denial after a hammer blow fourth defeat. Battered Corbyn should step back completely. Immediately. https://t.co/dMOgChB1UI
— Kevin Maguire (@Kevin_Maguire) December 31, 2019
Neil Coyle, the Labour MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark, slammed his leader and encouraged people to join the party.
Labour isn't a rent-a-mob protest party, or a 'resistance' but a potential Party of Government when led well. Corbyn's team/message sank us to pre-war levels of representation. More poverty, homelessness & higher foodbank use will be the result. Join Labour to help us move on! pic.twitter.com/M9jafyo1bt
— Neil Coyle (@coyleneil) December 31, 2019
And former Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick, who stood down at the election, did not speak highly of Mr Corbyn’s plans for “resistance”.
Let’s have lots of demos where we can talk to each other, again!!Corbyn claims Labour is 'the resistance to Boris Johnson' despite historic election defeat https://t.co/87Yn1hh9Dh
— Jim Fitzpatrick (@Fitz_xMP) December 31, 2019
