Jeremy Corbyn insists Labour manifesto reflects views of the entire party

Jeremy Corbyn at the launch in Bradford of the Labour Party manifesto (Danny Lawson/PA Wire)

JEREMY CORBYN has defended his leadership style and insisted the Labour manifesto reflected the views of the entire party.

The Labour leader said he was not dictatorial and the manifesto was the result of listening to the concerns of voters across the country.

Mr Corbyn was responding to polls which suggest the manifesto’s policies were more popular than him, suggesting his leadership was an issue for voters.

At the manifesto launch event in Bradford he said: “I am very, very proud to lead this party.

“I was elected by a very large number of members and supporters, ordinary people all over this country – in trade unions, Labour supporters, Labour Party members.

“I’m very proud that we have a party that is diverse, that is inclusive, that is pluralistic.

“This manifesto is a product of that process.

“I see leadership as not dictating, but leadership is also about listening: listening to what people say, understanding the stress, the pressures and the tensions in their lives and ensuring that our party’s policies, our government’s approach to things, reflects the reality of people’s lives.”

Corbyn with his manifesto for the General Election (Danny Lawson/PA Wire)

Mr Corbyn’s comments about the manifesto process may be viewed as an attempt to show that the whole party – rather than just his allies – were involved in drawing up the policy platform.

If, as opinion polls indicate, he fails to win on June 8, it may be important for Mr Corbyn to show that all parts of the Labour movement were involved in the process if he seeks to hold on to his position as leader.

He added: “The function of leadership is to understand the stresses that people face in their daily lives, the frustration, the thwarted ambition, the anger that they face and try to produce policies that make that different.

“Being strong and standing up doesn’t necessarily mean shouting, dictating and instructing. It’s how you put your case.”

Mr Corbyn stressed that he did not indulge in “personal” attacks and condemned the “appalling abuse” aimed at colleagues on social media.