Twitter reaction: Jeremy Corbyn picks up Labour leadership in landslide vote
Jeremy Corbyn has been elected as the leader of the Labour party despite a consistent steam of press criticism and dissent within the party.
The Islington North MP Corbyn who stole the hearts and minds of many Labour members (and a flood of new sign ups) with the double-edged sword of his authenticity surprised many with the shock victory.
The Daily Telegraph may also have bitten off more than it can chew by calling on its readers to vote for Jeremy Corbyn in the leadership election to fundamentally weaken the Labour Party.
The results, announced just before noon on Saturday (12 September) showed the ‘Jez We Can’ campaign's popularity transfer to votes boasting 59.5 per cent of the vote.
Andy Burnham came second with 19 per cent, Yvette Cooper mustered 17 per cent and Liz Kendall 4.5 per cent.
Jeremy Corbyn mobbed by supporters chanting "Jez We Can" as he arrives for leadership announcement. Via @JoeChurcher pic.twitter.com/slspCOMVIn
— Press Association (@PA) September 12, 2015
Furthermore, across the board Corbyn dominated in every category.
#JeremyCorbyn won in every category, including full members. That is a significant mandate. pic.twitter.com/bAvWmfUXvA
— Mohammed Shafiq (@mshafiquk) September 12, 2015
Prominent figures in the UK media were quick to comment on the ground-breaking election.
Jeremy Corbyn has won the biggest against all odds victory in British political history. That was the easy bit.
— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) September 12, 2015
Well ****me. Who'd a thunk it. @jeremycorbyn !
— Adam Boulton (@adamboultonSKY) September 12, 2015
Jeremy Corbyn is not too old to be leader. He is fitter than me, doesn't drink and led a healthier lifestyle - Ken Livingstone @BBCr4today
— norman smith (@BBCNormanS) September 12, 2015
Now but be a good moment to remind you of this https://t.co/iCOEkAtVpt #newsnight #JeremyCorbyn #labourleadership
— Ian Katz (@iankatz1000) September 12, 2015
Labour MP Diane Abbot retweeted a widely shared Private Eye spot looking into press distortion of Corbyn statements.
The best summary of how @jeremycorbyn has been systematically distorted & misrepresented in the media pic.twitter.com/nY7KxRFpRN
— Diane Abbott (@HackneyAbbott) September 12, 2015
A snippet of Corbyn’s victory speech can be seen below.
"We are one world": Jeremy Corbyn is the new Labour leader. An extract from his speech #Labourleadership http://t.co/CDqoo5bDx1
— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) September 12, 2015
Now head of the opposition, Corbyn's life will be made easier if PM David Cameron continues making gaffes such as his recent Yorkshire 'hate' comments.