The Conservatives immediately seized on Jeremy Corbyn’s victory by condemning the Labour Party under his leadership as a “serious risk to our nation’s security”.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon made clear that the Government will go for the new Labour leader’s jugular by warning that Mr Corbyn will weaken Britain’s defences and raise taxes on jobs and earnings.
Neither Mr Fallon nor Priti Patel, the employment minister, congratulated Mr Corbyn on his victory.
Mr Fallon said: “Labour are now a serious risk to our nation’s security, our economy’s security and your family’s security. Whether it’s weakening our defences, raising taxes on jobs and earnings, racking up more debt and welfare, or driving up the cost of living by printing money – Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party will hurt working people. This is a very serious moment for our country. The Conservatives will continue to deliver stability, security and opportunity for working people.”
The former Conservative minister Nick Hurd congratulated Jeremy Corbyn on his "stunning victory" (John Lawrence)
But other Tories urged their party to be neither complacent nor over-confident. The former Conservative minister Nick Hurd tweeted: “Congrats to @jeremycorbyn on stunning victory. Caution my party against complacency. Cocky Tory always a bad look. #one nation.”
Congrats to @jeremycorbyn on stunning victory .Caution my party against complacency. Cocky Tory always a bad look. #one nation
; Nick Hurd MP (@nickhurdmp) September 12, 2015
News Corporation executive chairman Rupert Murdoch tweeted: “Hard left Corbyn wins in landslide, goes on TV singing ‘Red Flag’. How did Cameron get this lucky? Hope he doesn’t slack off.”
Hard left Corbyn wins in landslide, goes on TV singing "Red Flag". How did Cameron get this lucky? Hope he doesn't slack off.
; Rupert Murdoch (@rupertmurdoch) September 12, 2015
Lord Soley, a former chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party, said he feared victory for Mr Corbyn “may have handed the next election to the Tory party”. Comparing the party’s choice with that of Iain Duncan Smith taking charge of the Tories in 2001, Lord Soley said: “They very quickly got rid of IDS. I do not see that happening as quickly with Labour.”
Labour’s former London mayor Ken Livingstone played down the significance of opposition to Mr Corbyn in the parliamentary party, saying: “Some will object a bit but the moment Jeremy starts to do well in the polls, those doubts will go.
“These are people who want to be in the next Labour government and they will not do anything to undermine Jeremy if they think he is going to be prime minister.”
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has warned that the Government will go for the new Labour leader’s jugular (Getty)
Asked about the refusal of figures such Rachel Reeves and Tristram Hunt to serve under Mr Corbyn, Mr Livingstone said: “The vast majority of the public don’t have a clue who they are. This is now down to Jeremy’s ability to connect.”
Former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott urged high-profile figures to “get behind” Mr Corbyn, warning that the “real enemy is the Tories”. He told the BBC: “The party gave an overwhelming endorsement to this man. He got more votes than Tony Blair. The party has spoken in a very, very strong voice.”
At Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park, a crowd of several hundred people popped open bottles of cava and chanted “Jez we can” as the result was announced. Many of its older members were in tears.
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Tim Holmes, 31, a student from London, said he was “elated” with the victory. “Jeremy is trusted. He’s been visible at every campaign event and every demonstration for as long as I can remember.”
Janet Maitland, a local newspaper journalist, said: “I can’t tell you how happy this makes me feel. We have got our party back. It was hijacked by Tony Blair, but now it is ours again. In Jeremy we have someone who will talk about poverty, global justice and all the other issues that matter. I think in five years he will have gained enough support to be PM. I joined as a supporter for £3 and now I intended to join fully. There are thousands like me.”
