Labour Leadership Election: Jeremy Corbyn defeats Owen Smith with 61.8% of votes

JEREMY CORBYN will continue as Labour leader after a convincing win over rival Owen Smith.

There were 313,209 votes for Corbyn (61.8%) to Smith’s 193,229 (38.2%).

The party received a 77.6% turnout (506, 438 voters) – up on last year’s figure of 76.3%.

Corbyn said the members had given him “a second mandate in a year to lead our party.”

He thanked volunteers in both his own campaign and Smith’s campaign.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of democracy,” he said.

He thanked Smith for a “great summer of debates” saying that he was sure they’d continue as “we’re part of the same Labour party, and that’s how it’s always going to be.”

Corbyn said he aimed to make the party “an engine for progress” that could win the next election.

He said the party should focus their energy “on exposing and defeating the Tories”.

“Let us wipe that slate clean from today and get on with the work that we have to do as a party,” he said.

He also condemned “intimidation and abuse” that had emerged during the campaign.

"The second mandate in a year to lead our party" says @jeremycorbyn after securing 61.8% of votes #LabourLeadership https://t.co/rNYXecVeLv

— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) September 24, 2016

The contest took place amid many controversies and gaffes surrounding both candidates’ campaigns after it was triggered by Labour MPs who were unhappy at Corbyn’s leadership and his alleged lack of commitment to the fight to stay in the EU.

Angela Eagle had been the first contender to challenge the veteran MP, but stepped aside to back ‘unity’ candidate Smith.

Then followed months of campaigning where Labour’s polls dropped, Smith was accused of sexism over a tweet about Nicola Sturgeon and so-called ‘Corbynistas’ were condemned for abuse towards MPs.

There was also the infamous ‘Traingate’ fiasco over Corbyn’s choice of seating on a train journey.

Corbyn now faces the task of reuniting the party.

Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham, who remained neutral in the contest, told the BBC that MPs should “come back and serve” in the shadow cabinet to once again provide “an effective opposition”.

If divisions are not resolved, “the differences will become irreconcilable and the damage terminal,” he said.