Jeremy Corbyn wins Labour Leadership Race... things can and will change

Jeremy Corbyn (MP) - right with Tom Watson at the conference today (Source: www.itv.com)

MP for Islington North Jeremy Corbyn has today emerged as Labour leader. Corbyn garnered a overwhelming 251.417 votes which constituted 59.5%, which was 40% more than his closest rival Andy Burnham who got 19%. Following very closely was Yvette Cooper with 17% and last being Liz Kendall with just 4.5% of the votes.

In his victory speech, Corbyn spoke strongly against the current government's Trade Union bill that will be put forward on Monday. The bill, he said is designed to "shackle the unions who are working to defend the people's rights," and will stifle people's democratic rights to demostrate against unfair practices by employers towards employees. Corbyn highlighted that Labour is a party organically linked together between the unions and party membership and all the affiliated organisations - that is where it gets its strength from. 

Corbyn also attacked an unfair welfare system in Conservative's Welfare reform bill which he said "will bring such misery and poverty to so many of the poorest in the society." The newly elected Labour leader spoke of the party which is united and absolutely determined in its quest for a decent and better society for all.    

Jeremy Corbyn strongly shunned Britain's foreign policy which was destabilising many parts of the world - one such - being the war in Syria. He said, "Let us realise that going to war creates a legacy of bitterness and problems. Let us be a force for change, humanity, peace in the world realising that we cant go on with grotesque levels of inequality, threats to our environment all around the world without the rich and powerful governments stepping up to the plate to make sure our world becomes safer and better."

He said, "They should make sure these people  don't end up in poverty, refugee camps wasting away their lives who could be contributing so much to the good of all of us on this planet. We are one world."

For his first assignment as Labour leader Mr. Corbyn will go out this afternoon to support and demonstrate the way refugees must and should be treated in the UK. He said the immigrants are inter-generational and generational victims of war who have ended up in desperation and terrible places. He called for the government and all to deal with the refugee crisis with humanity, support and compassion because they are after all 'human beings like the rest of us.'

West Bromwich East MP, Tom Watson is going to be deputising Corbyn.

The newly elected Labour leader also congratulated the newly elected mayor of London, Sadik Khan and promised that they will work together particularly on the housing issue in London. He said; "I'm fed-up with the social cleansing of London by the Tory government and its policies. We will ensure the end in sky-high rents in London and the insecurity of those living in the private rented sector."

Sadik Khan (MP) (Source: www.dailymail.co.uk)

Jeremy Corbyn also thanked former Labour leader Ed Milliband, and the acting leader Harriet Hammond as well as his contenders; Andy Burnham for his position as shadow health secretary 'who advocated for a free health service under the NHS at the point of use and his stand for a comprehensive education and to ensure that all children have a fair and decent start to life.'

He also showed his gratitude to Yvette Cooper for the part she played in the last few weeks in helping to shape and turn round public opinion to show sympathy and humanity towards refugees and the way they are treated. Cooper received a resounding standing ovation at this. Corbyn also thanked Liz Kendell for her friendship even if they both had 'some moderate differences'.

The Labour party has presented itself as representing the democratic rights of the people, justice, equality and peace.

Queen Elizabeth II becomes Britain’s longest reigning monarch and British Head of State

HRM Queen Elizabeth II with her husband Prince Phillip - 2015 (Source: www.vogue.it)

After assuming her reign as queen of England on the 2^nd of February 1952, Queen Elizabeth II today becomes Britain’s longest reigning monarch. The Queen surpasses her great great grand-mother Queen Victoria’s record of 63 years 7 months and 2 days.

She is also the world’s oldest reigning monarch as well as Britain’s longest lived. Her coronation service in 1953 was the first ever to be televised.

Queen Elizabeth II's coronation - 1953 (Source: ABC News)

As the Head of State of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth realms, Queen Elizabeth has been quite a popular figure across the world. 

The Queen in Seychelles - 1971 (Source: www.dailymail.co.uk) 

The Queen was born to Albert Frederick Arthur George (George VI) and Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon (Elizabeth I). She ascended the throne at the age of 25 after the death of her father who had reigned for 16 years.

During the Second World War, the queen undertook public duties where she served in the Auxiliary Territorial Service. 

Queen Elizabeth II in 1945 (Source: www.express.co.uk)

In 1947 she married Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh with whom she has four children; Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward. 

Amidst her royal duties, the Queen has not forgotten her role as a wife and mother, seen in the pictures below with the Duke of Edinburgh and the kids including baby Andrew as they relaxed in the grounds of Balmoral in 1960.

The Duke of Edinburgh with the Queen entertaining the kids including baby Prince Andrew
as they relax in the grounds of Balmoral - 1960 (Source: www.businessinsider.my)

Spending time together at Windsor with young prince sat next to his mother &
father Prince Philip - 1968 (Source: www.dailymail.co.uk)

Queen Elizabeth II has seen through six decades of massive political, social and economic changes and reforms. She has seen major constitutional changes, such as devolution in the UK, Canadian patriation and the decolonisation of Africa. She has also reined through various wars and conflicts involving many of her realms.

Queen Elizabeth II on royal visit to Khyber Pass being escorted by
 Nawab of Kalabagh (on the right) - 1962 (Source: Syedih Husain)

The Queen with Jomo Kenyatta and his wife in Nairobi, Kenya - 1971

In 1982 Her Royal Majesty (HRM) became the first monarch since the reformation to welcome a Pope to Britain during John Paul II’s pastoral visit to the country and in 2010.

HRM The Queen with Pope John Paul II - 1982 (Source: www.telegraph.co.uk)

Queen Elizabeth attending Trooping the Colour on horse and took the salute of
The Household Guards at Horse Guard's Parade - 1985 (Source: www.dailymail.co.uk)

1992 was a year the Queen termed 'Annus Horribilis' a Latin phrase meaning 'Horrible Year'. She said, '1992 is not a year on which I shall look back with undiluted pleasure. In the words of one of my more sympathetic correspondents, it has turned out to be an Annus Horribilis'. Here are some of the events to which she alluded; 

• In March 1992, it was announced that her second son, the Duke of York would separate from his wife, the Duchess of York. Later in the year, scandalous pictures of a topless Duchess of York being kissed on her feet by her friend, John Bryan, were published in the tabloids.
• Also in March 1992, the Mauritian Monarchy was abolished.
• In April, her daughter,the Princess Royal, divorced her husband, Captain Mark Philips.
• In June, 'the Princess of Wales' tell-all book, Diana, Her True Story, was published.
• In November, just four days before the Guildhall speech, one of the Queen’s homes, Windsor Castle caught fire. The castle was seriously damaged, and several priceless artifacts were lost. John Major, then Prime Minister, originally indicated that the government would fund the cost of repairs (Windsor Castle, like Buckingham Palace, being government-owned). Convention requires the monarch to accept the advice of his or her Prime Minister, but there was considerable public outcry against this plan. As an alternative to relying solely on the taxpayer, the government decided to open some publicly owned royal residences to tourists during the summer period when the Queen is not in residence, and the revenue from those tours was applied to the castle repair costs.

The Queen visiting Windsor Castle after the fire - 1992 (www.dailymail.co.uk)

1997 was yet another sad year for the Queen, the royals and the rest of the world as it saw the death of the Princess of Wales; Princess Diana.

Queen Elizabeth II at Princess Diana's funeral - 1997 (Source: www.theguardian.co.uk)

Year 2002 marked the Queen's Golden Jubilee which she celebrated in a stylishly elegant orange outfit. She has constantly worn exquisitely bright colours, showing an up-to-date fashion sense.

The Queen returns from St. Paul's cathedral after a service of thanksgiving
to celebrate her Golden Jubilee - 2002 (Source: www.telegraph.co.uk) 

Her Majesty in green - 2002 (Source: aliveradio.net)

Queen Elizabeth posses with the three future monarchs; Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George.

The three future monarchs inline with the Queen (Source: www.usmagazine.com)

HRM Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, marking 60 years of her reign.

Queen Elizabeth II celebrating her diamond jubilee - 2012 (Source:Times.com)

The Queen addressing the Lords and Members of the House of Commons - 2013
(Source: www.telegraph.co.uk)

Her Majesty in a rare public speech today, is expected to address the people of Britain and the Commonwealth in a short speech at the opening of a Scottish Borders railway in Tweedbank, which has been described as the longest domestic railway line to be built in the UK in over a century. She had originally wished to spend the landmark day in private; since celebrating it would be the same as celebrating her great great-grand mother's death - which would be morally wrong.

The Run for Labour Leadership

A few days after he announced to stand for Labour leadership, the charismatic Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna recalled his decision – stripping the party of one of its strongest contenders.

The reason he gave for reversing his decision was how uncomfortable he was with the amount of scrutiny his family faced as a result.

However, other critics believe Umunna was another victim of an elegant, silent old-fashioned Westminster character assassination. They cite reasons being of him not showing total allegiance to one party. When he entered into active politics, he was part of the anti-Blairite think tank run by former Gordon Brown aide Neal Lawson. Then as his parliamentary ambitions strengthened, he changed course and started building bridges with the Blairites. He then turned again by endorsing Ed Miliband which was against Blairites and still hit back on Ed by keeping his distance from the Ed team.

This gave the impression of an erratic and unpredictable Umunna and therefore could not be trusted. However some saw him as possessing acute political antenna.

To show the course which the wind was taking, the Blairite camp at the start of last year shifted its allegiance to Dan Jarvis.

Umunna’s race could have well played against him as some skeptics believe that the UK is not yet ready for a ‘black Prime Minister’ and this came at a time when most Labour Members of Parliament (MPs) were calling for tougher measures against immigration into the UK. One shadow cabinet minister is on record saying, ‘all MPs hate Umunna because they are jealous of him’. Since Umunna became an active politician, he has risen up the ladder faster than what would be deemed politically correct by Westminster. So Westminster’s unwritten rules were enforced.

Jeremy Corbyn

Jeremy Corbyn (MP)
(Source: iknowpolitics.org)

Seemingly now leading the race for labour leadership is the much contested MP for Islington North, Jeremy Corbyn. His political career began in 1974 when he was elected to Haringey Council, a role which he kept until his election as MP in 1983. Corbyn describes himself as a democratic socialist and has advocated the renationalisation of public utilities and railways, combating corporate tax evasion and avoidance as an alternative to austerity, unilateral nuclear disarmament and cancellation of the Trident nuclear weapons programme.

Corbyn is a member of a number of trade union groups in parliament which include Unison and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers. Corbyn was a well known campaigner against apartheid in South Africa and is a prominent member of Amnesty International.

Born on 26 May 1949 in Chippenham, Wiltshire, Corbyn attended Adams’ Grammar School and then briefly North London Polytechnic. In 1974 he married a fellow Labour party councillor in Haringey, Jane Chapman but divorced in 1979. He later married Chilean exile Claudia Brachitta in 1987 with whom he had 3 sons. After a disagreement on which school their son would attend, the couple divorced in 1999. This year, Corbyn married his long term domestic partner; 46-year old Laura Alvarez.