Corbyn roundly beat his Labour opponents to secure the leadership

Corbyn victorious

Jeremy Corbyn easily secured his continued leadership of the Labour party today, beating off a challenge from Owen Smith by 313,209 votes to 193,229.

It is a larger margin of victory than he won last year, increasing from 59.6% to 61.8%, meaning the rebellion against him had not just failed on its own terms but actually consolidated his support.

Smith won just 38.2% of the vote.

“I will do everything I can to bring our party together,” Corbyn said in his victory speech.

“Elections are passionate and often partisan affairs. There is often heated debate on all sides that we later come to regret.

“But we have much more in common than that that divides us. Let’s wipe that slate clean from today."

Turnout was impressive, with  506,438 of an eligible 654,006 party members, trade unionists and registered supporters taking part.