Jeremy Corbyn conference speech 2019 highlights – what Labour leader announced

Jeremy Corbyn drew the battle lines for a crunch general election tonight as he bids to oust Boris Johnson from No10.

The Labour leader rallied activists ahead of an expected autumn poll in a rousing speech to thousands of delegates in Brighton.

Outlining the mounting need for a snap poll, Mr Corbyn told Labour members the Brexit crisis could be only tackled by a new ballot, some 27 months after the country last went to the polls.

He said: “This crisis can only be settled with a general election .

“That election needs to take place as soon as this Government’s threat of a disastrous no-deal is taken off the table.”

Revealing the battleground Labour wants to fight on, he rattled through popular policies such as renationalising the rail and water industries, along with the National Grid and Royal Mail.

A new “Crossrail for the North” would link major cities across the region, stretching from Liverpool to Hull.

The hourly minimum wage would be hiked to £10 and zero-hours’ contracts would be scrapped.

Three factories producing eco-friendly batteries would be built in South Wales, Stoke-on-Trent and Swindon.

Within the first 100 days of a Labour Government, it would abolish the Trade Union Act, which critics say curbed workers’ rights.

And Labour would ruthlessly target tax avoiders and evaders as it tries to pump cash into public coffers.

Electric cars

Labour is ready to inject £2.3billion into building three huge battery factories to power a new fleet of electric cars. Mr Corbyn told party members the plants would open in Swindon, Stoke-on-Trent and South Wales. The move, under Labour’s “Green New Deal” project, would help revive economies hit by factory closures and job losses in recent years. It would also help boost the fight against climate change as motorists switch from petrol and diesel-powered vehicles to more environmentally-friendly cars and vans. Earlier, delegates backed a plan for the party to work towards a net-zero carbon emissions target by 2030.

Employment

Zero-hours’ contracts would be axed and the minimum wage raised to £10 – with young people reaping the benefit. The current legal floor is £8.21 for workers aged 25 and over, sinking to just £4.35 for those under 18. The Labour chief said: “We’ll bring about the biggest extension of rights for workers our country has ever seen. We’ll scrap zero-hours’ contracts; introduce a £10 living wage – including for young people from the age of 16; give all workers equal rights from their first day in the job; take action on the gender, disability and ethnicity pay gaps; and introduce flexible working time for workers experiencing the menopause.”

Nationalisation

Delighted delegates lapped up renewed pledges to renationalise vast swathes of industry. Mr Corbyn told activists: “A Labour government will mean better wages, greater security, and more say – putting power in the hands of the people. And we’ll bring rail, mail, water and the National Grid into public ownership so the essential services that we all rely on are run by and for the public not for profit.” The Tories have faced widespread criticism for parts of their privatisation revolution, dating back to Margaret Thatcher’s 1980s’ heyday.

Railways

A new railway would be built across the North, linking Liverpool and Hull and pumping billions into the regional economy. Local leaders have repeatedly demanded better transport connections to help revitalise norther towns and cities. But critics say the region has been starved of cash while money is showered on cash-soaked London and the south. The Labour leader pledged: “Labour will invest in Crossrail for the North to link our great Northern cities, from Liverpool to Hull and up to Newcastle in the North East.” Northern Powerhouse Partnership director Henri Murison said: “The commitment of Jeremy Corbyn in his speech today to northern rail infrastructure east-west is to be welcomed, including both new lines and upgraded infrastructure as proposed by northern Mayors and leaders.”

Buses

A huge overhaul of buses would revive services in areas left cut off after vital lifelines were axed. Greedy companies slashing services on non-profitable routes have meant passengers need to rely on cars or walk. Poor communities are disproportionately clobbered. Mr Corbyn promised to “restore the bus services that have been cut leaving people isolated from their communities”. The party had already unveiled plans to pump in £1.3billion a year to reverse cuts to local bus services as a way of boosting communities and helping the environment.

Environment

La our will wage war on “big polluters” as part of its drive to tackle the climate emergency. Mr Corbyn also pledged a “Green Industrial Revolution” with public investment in renewable energies and green technology. There will be seven-fold increase in offshore wind projects and a tripling of the amount of energy generated by solar power. The Labour leader insisted: “Nothing matters more than the climate emergency.”

Brexit

Jeremy Corbyn underlined Labour’s opposition to a no-deal Brexit by warning it would leave the country at the “mercy” of Donald Trump . He told delegates it would lead to a “race to the bottom” in standards and workers’ rights. “A no-deal Brexit is really a Donald Trump Brexit” he said. The Labour leader also insisted Labour’s policy on Brexit was “not complicated.” A Labour government would negotiate a deal and within six months put that to the people in a second referendum alongside the option to remain. By putting the decision in the hands of the people Labour would bring the country together, he claimed.

Social care

A National Care Service would be setup to mirror the NHS, with free personal care in the home for those aged over 65 who need it. Mr Corbyn said: “When older people, who have paid into the system all their lives, need a little help we shouldn’t deny it to them.” Currently, state help with the cost of home or residential help is only available for those who have assets below £23,250. Labour’s £6billion-a-year pledge would double the number of people who do not have to pay.