Jeremy Corbyn called for a “mass redistibution of wealth and power” in Britain as he unveiled details of his new Left-wing party.
The former Labour leader also stressed the need to “defend the right to protest against genocide” as he accused Sir Keir Starmer’s government of “complicity in crimes against humanity” with growing number of people starving in Gaza besieged by Israel.
Mr Corbyn, who was banned from standing for Labour at the general election in the row over tackling anti-Semitism in its ranks, urged people to sign up to the new party and attend a conference to decide its direction, leadership model and policies.
Zarah Sultana, the MP for Coventry South who quit Labour, announced the party recently, seeming to catch Mr Corbyn by surprise as both of them were unveiled as joint leaders.
The confusion was reportedly down to a row over the leadership, with Mr Corbyn said not to favour a joint ticket but not necessarily that he should be leader.
But he did throw his weight behind the new party which threatens to eat into the Labour and Green vote.
On Thursday, the independent MP for Islington North gave more details of the plans for a new party as he said the political system in the UK is “rigged”.
In a joint statement, he and Ms Sultana argued: “The system is rigged when 4.5 million children live in poverty in the sixth richest country in the world.
“The system is rigged when giant corporations make a fortune from rising bills.
“The system is rigged when this government says there is no money for the poor, but billions for war.
“We cannot accept these injustices - and neither should you.”
He then proposed huge spending plans, without immediately obvious ways of funding them apart from higher taxes on the very wealthy.
“We will only fix the crises in our society with a mass redistribution of wealth and power,” he said.
“That means taxing the very richest in our society.
“That means an NHS free from privatisation and bringing energy, water, rail and mail into public ownership.
“That means investing in a massive council house-building programme.
“That means standing up to fossil fuel giants putting their profits before our planet.”
On foreign policy, he tore into Sir Keir’s government despite its toughening rhetoric against Israel’s actions in Gaza, though it is yet to follow through with threatened greater sanctions.
Mr Corbyn said: “Meanwhile, millions of people are horrified by the government’s complicity in crimes against humanity.
“Now, more than ever, we must defend the right to protest against genocide.”
Amid fears of summer riots with growing public disquiet on immigration, he stressed: “The great dividers want you to think that the problems in our society are caused by migrants or refugees. They’re not.
“They are caused by an economic system that protects the interests of corporations and billionaires.
“It is ordinary people who create the wealth - and it is ordinary people who have the power to put it back where it belongs.”
On the details of his new political venture, he said: “It’s time for a new kind of political party. One that is rooted in our communities, trade unions and social movements.
“One that builds power in all regions and nations. One that belongs to you.”
He announced that the party would hold a conference at which the people will decided the party’s direction, model of leadership and policies.
