Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn announced his resignation as head of the party after a stunning loss in the United Kingdom’s general election.
Corbyn, dogged by his failure to tackle anti-Semitism in his party and his attempt to bring the party further to the left alienated voters who traditionally voted Labour. Corbyn was seen as fiercely hostile toward Israel and expressed sympathies for anti-Israel terrorist groups.
Thursday’s vote was the worst result for the party since the 1930s.
After the election, Corbyn said it was a “very disappointing night for the Labour Party” and said he would not be helming the party as it goes into the next election, though he said he would stay on during a period of “reflection” after the campaign.
“Obviously, I’m very sorry for what has happened, but I want to make this clear: I am dealing with it. I have dealt with it,” Corbyn told ITV. “Other parties are also affected by anti-Semitism. Candidates have been withdrawn by the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives and by us because we do not accept it in any form whatsoever.”
With results still filtering in, Conservative Party leader and current Prime Minister Boris Johnson was set to win a majority of more than 80 seats, the best result for the party since Margaret Thatcher’s majority of 102 in 1987.
The pound rose as much as 2% against both the dollar and the euro.
Jeremy Corbyn: “I will not lead the party in any future #generalelection campaign. I will discuss with our party to ensure there is a process now of reflection on this result… I will lead the party in that period to ensure that discussion takes place.”#UKElection pic.twitter.com/KLTsBmi0Du
— euronews (@euronews) December 13, 2019
