Corbyn claims Labour is ‘the resistance to Boris Johnson’ despite historic election defeat

‘We will be on the front line, both in parliament and on the streets,’ says outgoing leader

Jeremy Corbyn's new year message made no reference to his decision to step down as Labour leader (AFP/Getty)

Jeremy Corbyn has claimed Labour is “the resistance” to prime minister Boris Johnson and will be “on the streets” opposing the government.

The outgoing leader made no reference in his new year message to his decision to step down following the party’s defeat in the general election.

Instead, he used it to rail against billionaires and to call for the NHS and climate change to be the top priorities for the next decade.

In the message, Mr Corbyn said: “2019 has been quite the year for our country and for our Labour movement.

“And now we are not just entering a new year but a new decade, and the period ahead could not be more important.

“It will be crucial, if we are to stop irreversible damage being caused by the climate crisis and the particular effects that has on people in the global south, if we are to stop the pain plaguing our country – food banks, poverty and people struggling to get by – if we are to protect our precious NHS.

“It won’t be easy. But we have built a movement. We are the resistance to Boris Johnson.

“We will be campaigning every day. We will be on the front line, both in parliament and on the streets.”

Mr Corbyn said Labour will be “protecting our public services, protecting healthcare free at the point of use, protecting our communities in all their brilliant diversity, standing up for internationalism, global solidarity and co-operation and working with movements and parties seeking social justice and change all over the world”.

He added: “Make no mistake, our movement is very strong. We are half a million people and growing. We are in every region and nation of our country.

“We’re not backed by the press barons, by the billionaires or by the millionaires who work for the billionaires. We’re backed by you. We are by the many, for the many.

“2020 and the years ahead will be tough – no one is saying otherwise. But we’re up for the fight, to protect what we hold dear and to build to win and to transform.

“The fight continues. There is no other choice. So if you’re with us already, I can’t wait to meet the challenges ahead together.”

Press Association