JEREMY CORBYN was applauded by Labour MPs as he returned to the House of Commons following his party’s surprise election gains.
The Labour leader arrived in the chamber as MPs met to choose the Speaker for the new Parliament.
Labour MPs who used to give Corbyn silent treatment now give him a standing ovation. Politics is a fickle mistress.pic.twitter.com/cLnh7Mztm1
— James Melville (@JamesMelville) June 13, 2017
Labour secured 262 MPs at the June 8 General Election, up from the 232 elected in 2015 while Ed Miliband was leader.
The Conservatives remain the largest party but Mr Corbyn’s party are feeling buoyant after their vote share soared.
In a speech, Mr Corbyn mocked Theresa May’s campaign slogans as he said Labour will offer “strong and stable leadership” if her “coalition of chaos” fails.
He made light of Mrs May’s troubles as Prime Minister as she bids to agree a deal with the Democratic Unionist Party to prop up her Conservative administration.
Responding following the re-election of John Bercow as Commons Speaker, Mr Corbyn told MPs: “It is customary on these occasions to congratulate the returning Prime Minister – and I absolutely do so.
“I congratulate her on returning and I’m sure she’ll agree with me that democracy is a wondrous thing, and can throw up some very unexpected results.
“I’m sure we all look forward to welcoming the Queen’s Speech just as soon as the coalition of chaos has been negotiated.
“I must let the House know – and the rest of the nation know – that if that is not possible, the Labour Party stands ready to offer strong and stable leadership in the national interest.”
Labour Leader @jeremycorbyn welcomes new Scottish MPs to Westminster. Says they will soon be joined many more. pic.twitter.com/1JivrCoqRz
— Lindsay Jane Razaq (@LJRazaq) June 13, 2017
He also praised fellow Labour MPs Diane Abbott, who was temporarily replaced as shadow home secretary last week due to illness, and Keith Vaz (Leicester East) for having “put up with an awful lot” since taking their seats in 1987.
He said: “This weekend marks the anniversary of the election of four black MPs to the House of Commons 30 years ago, the first black MPs for more than 60 years in the British Parliament.
“In particular, I welcome my right honourable friends the member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) and Leicester East – those were two of the four elected in 1987 who are now members of the most diverse House of Commons ever.
“They paved the way, and I have to say they’ve put up with an awful lot by being pioneers in taking their seats in 1987.
“It’s vital for our democracy that all voices are heard and represented.”
Theresa May called on MPs to “come together in a spirit of national unity”.
After she welcomed the appointment of the new Speaker, the Prime Minister urged MPs to recognise “we all want to see a Britain that is stronger, fairer and safe and secure for our children and grandchildren”.
She said: “As we face difficult challenges ahead, let us come together in a spirit of national unity to keep our country safe and build a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous future for everyone in every part of our United Kingdom.”
Theresa May on landslides pic.twitter.com/99szlndlvZ
— Esther Webber (@estwebber) June 13, 2017
Mrs May said it was “clear that our country faces some of the greatest challenges of our time” as the new parliament begins, including keeping the”nation safe”, “securing the best possible Brexit deal” and “spreading opportunity and prosperity to every part” of the country.
She said: “In meeting these challenges, what we have seen from the election is that there are parts of our country that remain divided – divided between young and old, rich and poor, those for whom the future offers a sense of opportunity and those for whom it brings worry and concern.
“Some people blame politics for these divisions or say there is too much politics, but politics can be an incredible force for good – conducted in the right way it can be how we resolve our differences, how we deal with injustices and how we take, not shirk, the big decisions.
“It’s not always glamorous or exciting but, at its best, the duty we share as politicians to serve others in confronting these challenges is a truly noble calling for us all, and the test for all of us is whether we choose to reflect divisions or help the country overcome them.”
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