Corbyn Streets Ahead in Labour Leadership Contest

Jeremy Corbyn , the left-wing parliament member running for the Labour leadership, leads the race with 43 percent support, a YouGov poll revealed Tuesday.

The surge in popularity comes on the back of Corbyn’s rebellious and tough stance against finance minister George Osborne’s Welfare Bill, which would cut benefits for the most vulnerable sectors of society.

Although the proposal was passed Monday night with a massive majority of 184, Corbyn was one of 47 Labour representatives to defy the whip and vote against the terms.

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In second place for the leadership race was Andy Burnham with 26 percent of party supporters saying they would vote for him.

Burnham, like all the other candidates aside from Corbyn, followed the party line of abstaining from voting,  to demonstrate their understanding of public concern over spending on welfare.

Yvette Cooper received 20 percent of the vote, while Liz Kendall trailed with 11 percent.

Before the controversial Welfare Bill vote, Corbyn released a statement voicing his ardent opposition.

“This bill is the unspeakable in attacking the vulnerable. It is indefensible,” he said.

"George Osborne's budget found money for giveaways on corporation tax and inheritance tax. We cannot abstain on a program that gives tax breaks to the rich and poverty to the least well off. We must challenge this narrative clearly and boldly, from the outset of this Parliament."

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The bill forms part of Osborne’s plans to slash public spending by 20 billion pounds ($31 billion dollars), including 12 billion pounds of savings from welfare and 5 billion from changes to the tax system, which were outlined in the Summer Budget.

Furthermore, the chancellor  called on the public sector to draw up plans for 40 percent cuts to their budget by 2019/2020 Tuesday, writing to the head of every department that does not have ring-fenced funding to model savings of 25 percent and 40 percent.

“When it comes to building a Britain that lives within its means, we need to finish the job,” Osborne told parliament on Tuesday.

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