Newly elected British opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn, is a “threat to national security,” according to U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron.
The day after Corbyn won the Labour leadership with a massive 59.5 percent of the vote, Cameron took to Twitter Sunday saying that the leftist, pro-immigrant rights member of parliament would undermine the nation’s defenses.
“The Labour Party is now a threat to our national security, our economic security and your family's security,” he said.
The Labour Party is now a threat to our national security, our economic security and your family's security.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron)
September 13, 2015
Labour are now a serious risk to our national security. Please RT to let everyone know. pic.twitter.com/pH3c2S7RYa
— Conservatives (@Conservatives)
September 12, 2015
The Conservative Party also took to social media to blast Corbyn, urging followers to spread the message about the “risk” presented by the new opposition leader.
The move represents a push by Britain’s ruling party to portray Corbyn in negative terms to set the tone for future debates, including the forthcoming parliamentary vote on bombing Syria, which will test the strength of Corbyn’s influence over his party.
RELATED: Will Jeremy Corbyn's Victory Revitalize the Left in the UK?
Over the course of his leadership campaign, Corbyn pledged that he would scrap the U.K.’s Trident nuclear program, and oppose airstrikes on Syria, having been particularly vocal against the “illegal” war in Iraq.
Cameron and his party’s social media posts might have not have the desired effect, with many people noting the absurdity of the prime minister’s message.
“Dude, don't take it personally,” wrote journalist Lou Del Bello.
“Have updated family security threat level from PEACH BLOSSOM to SPICY ORANGE,” added producer Mike Deri Smith.
Dude, don't take it personally https://t.co/PSSQXHloj3
— Lou Del Bello (@LouDelBello)
September 13, 2015
Have updated family security threat level from PEACH BLOSSOM to SPICY ORANGE https://t.co/yG7arnvZYq
— Mike Deri Smith (@mikederismith)
September 13, 2015
Labour, the U.K.’s main opposition social democratic party, is often likened to the Democratic Party in the United States, with Corbyn being compared to Bernie Sanders, the self-proclaimed democratic socialist running against Hillary Clinton. “Corbyn is significantly to the left of Sanders,” however, points out teleSUR contributor and New Left Project's Alex Doherty.
Corbyn, a socialist who was but a blip on the political radar until a few months ago, has defied all his detractors and won the party primary by appealing to core Labour values and grassroots supporters.
Originally an outsider, with 200/1 odds to win against frontrunner Andy Burnham's 5/6, Corbyn threw his hat into the leadership ring after Ed Miliband stepped down as leader when the party lost to David Cameron's Conservative party in May.
WATCH: Media Review - JEREMY CORBYN