At the London launch of his general election campaign, the Labour leader smooched the shadow foreign secretary’s upturned hand with his eyes closed. Photos of the cringeworthy smacker drew comparisons to the moment following the 2017 election when the Labour leader accidentally high-fived Ms Thornberry’s chest. One Twitter user joked the act was known as “the Islington Kiss”, in reference to the socialist’s constituency, while another said Ms Thornberry “looks like she is about to throw up”.
As Mr Corbyn used his rousing speech to rail agains the “elite” in society, one social media user quipped: “She is a titled Lady, so perhaps he felt that going more formal was the right thing to do?”
The opposition leader attacked the “corrupt system” run by the “establishment elite” and vowed to turn the tide if he is voted into government.
He raged against Boris Johnson, whom he said represents “born-to-rule Conservatives”, a reference to his Eton education after the prime minister branded him an “Islingtonian protester” in PMQs yesterday.
Mr Corbyn told the crowd gathered at Battersea Arts Centre in south London: “You know what really scares the elite?
“What they’re actually afraid of is paying their taxes.
“So in this election they’ll fight harder and dirtier than ever before.
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From his address it was clear Mr Corbyn will use his campaign to try to appeal to lower and middle income voters by attacking the rich.
Meanwhile the prime minster visited Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge where he voiced his regret over Parliament’s refusal to pass his deal in time for the October 31 deadline.
He said: “I’m incredibly frustrated that we haven’t been able to get Brexit done today. We had a fantastic deal on the table.”
The December 12 vote is set to the the most unpredictable election in a generation.
Mr Corbyn’s group gained 30 seats in the snap election called by Theresa May in 2017, which saw the Tories lose their Parliamentary majority.
But that was before his party was engulfed in a devastating antisemitism crisis which lawmakers on the left and right have hit out at him for not tackling.
In an unprecedented move, Labour’s official Jewish affiliate, the Jewish Labour Movement (JLM) announced that it will not support the party in the election.
This should deal a significant blow to Mr Corbyn’s position as the group held 50 rallies in the run up to the 2017 ballot to boost support for Labour candidates.
