Labour Heals As Leadership Race Contest Is Settled With Corbyn Victory

by Benson Agoha | Politics

What has been known for a while, was confirmed Saturday after Jeremy Corbyn became the next Labour Leader, winning 60% of the votes. He is now forming his Shadow Cabinet.

* New Labour Leader - Jeremy Corbyn

For one thing, we can say that at least, there was no electoral shock reminiscent of several previous elections that produced disbelief in 2015.

His promise to unify Labour and bring the different factions to work together was also given a boost after his rival Andy Burnham played a good sport and accepted to serve as Shadow Home Secretary. John McDonnell was named as shadow chancellor.

* New Shadow Home Secretary,
Andy Burnham

Two other former rivals - Liz Kendall and Yvette Cooper however opted out. As did Chuka Umunna on a reportedly `mutual' basis.  Ex-Shadow Chancellor, Chris Leslie also opted out as Dan Jarvis (ex-Shadow justice Secretary) and Jamie Reed (ex-shadow health minister).

The new labour leader is also expected to close ranks with Sadiq Khan who won the Labour election to replace Boris Johnson as Mayor at City Hall.

The news of the election has surprisingly boosted Labour membership, adding 15,000 new members within 24 hours of his victory.  It negates the view that those joining Labour in the run up to the leadership elections were doing so just to vote in a weak labour candidate that would pose a lesser threat to the incumbent.

The election result was in line with expectation because of consistent pre-election polls which showed Jeremy Corbyn as the preferred candidate.

 The result also restored trust in pre-election polls after results in several elections negated forecasts and delivered shocking results.

* New Shadow Chancellor: John McDonnell

For example, the Nigerian presidential elections in March, saw the exit of former President Jonathan Goodluck in what was considered unbelievable for an African incumbent's party to loose election to a rival in a fair process.

The Israeli Elections, as another instance, saw the re-election of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who face massive protest involving crowds of tens of thousands of opposition campaigners who wanted him removed for going to deliver a speech to congress. Contratry to expectations, Netanyahu won that election, needing only a week partner to form government.

Perhaps the most remarkable surprise was at home when the Scottish Referendum on September 18, 2014, produced a `No' result, and in May when the General election saw Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservative Party secure a majority seat to form a government without needing a coalition.

The election of the new Labour Leader was forecast before hand a long time ago, as he consistently led his rivals.