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Jeremy Corbyn given ‘10 out of 10’ rating by Rebecca Long-Bailey
Rebecca Long Bailey speaks to ITV News about Jeremy Corbyn's leadership. Photograph: ITV News. - Credit: Archant
Labour leadership hopeful Rebecca Long-Bailey has given Jeremy Corbyn a '10 out of 10' rating for his time at the head of the party.
Despite dismissing claims she was a "continuity candidate", and the Labour leader losing two elections, she said Corbyn had the right approach to policy-making.
Asked how she would rate his performance out of 10, the shadow business secretary told ITV News: "I thought Corbyn was one of the most honest, kind, principled politicians I've ever met".
And without hesitation she said: "I'd give him 10 out of 10, because I respect him and I supported him all the way through.
"What we can't ignore was that Jeremy was savaged from day one by the press... We have a role as party to develop the image of our leader and to put them forward in the most positive way, but we also have a duty to rebut criticism and attacks.
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"As a party we needed to have a rebuttal unit, a clear structure in place to rebut the attacks against him."
Long-Bailey received support from shadow chancellor John McDonnell today when he was asked who he was backing.
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"I'm supporting Becky, yeah," McDonnell said.
"I thought she was superb on the Today programme. I thought she came across as an extremely warm human being and was on top of her game, she was excellent.
"But all of them have been good. I think we've got a really good team of candidates."
- How would you rate Jeremy Corbyn's leadership? Vote in our poll.
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