Like other leading politicians, Jeremy Corbyn has felt compelled to give a reaction to the news that Donald Trump will be the 45th President.
But his analysis of why the outspoken outsider won has prompted mixed emotions among progressives.
While noting that many will be shocked by Trump’s election, Corbyn continued:
“Trump’s election is an unmistakable rejection of a political establishment and an economic system that simply isn’t working for most people. It is one that has delivered escalating inequality and stagnating or falling living standards for the majority, both in the US and Britain.
“This is a rejection of a failed economic consensus and a governing elite that has been seen not to have listened. And the public anger that has propelled Donald Trump to office has been reflected in political upheavals across the world.
“But some of Trump’s answers to the big questions facing America, and the divisive rhetoric around them, are clearly wrong.”
He ended by hoping the “decency and common sense of the American people” would prevail, and urging co-operation on building a new economic model.
But while Corbyn’s analysis has been made by many a political pundit before, the reaction on social media was mixed.
Some praised it as the best statement they had read that day, and called Corbyn a “voice of reason”.
Great, statesmanlike reaction from @jeremycorbyn https://t.co/K5b3FiGwpx
— David Richardson (@DMBRICH) November 9, 2016
@jeremycorbyn words on the Trump election are spot on and shows mature understanding of political climate. More of this please
— Chris Ormerod (@ChrisO1981) November 9, 2016
But others questioned why Corbyn, an anti-racism campaigner, wasn’t focusing more on condemning Trump’s toxic rhetoric.
@jeremycorbyn I’m sure you enjoy the destruction of the centre left. But what about social care, Obama Care, women, minorities, tolerance?
— tess (@durbervilla) November 9, 2016
@George_fixedit @jeremycorbyn it’s not just disenfranchised ppl that voted for trump. It’s just white people, of all kinds , mainly men
— Anna Higgie (@annahiggie) November 9, 2016
Jeremy Corbyn responds to Donald Trump win: ‘An unmistakable rejection of a political establishment’
Speechless.
— Josiah Mortimer (@josiahmortimer) November 9, 2016
Others still wondered if Trump’s victory suggested that Corbyn, another outsider, had a better chance of winning power in the UK than the polls suggested.
@TheLastLeg #isitok to ask that if the polls are constantly getting it wrong, then will Jeremy Corbyn become PM in a landslide?
— Ian Wolf (@ianwolf) November 9, 2016
I think it might now be time to place a large bet on Jeremy Corbyn becoming PM. After all, stranger things have actually happened….
— Annoné Butler (@bookishwgc) November 9, 2016
Here is Corbyn’s full statement, so you can make up your own mind:
“Many in Britain and elsewhere will be understandably shocked by Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election, the rhetoric around it and what the election result means for the rest of the world, as well as America.
“Trump’s election is an unmistakable rejection of a political establishment and an economic system that simply isn’t working for most people. It is one that has delivered escalating inequality and stagnating or falling living standards for the majority, both in the US and Britain.
“This is a rejection of a failed economic consensus and a governing elite that has been seen not to have listened. And the public anger that has propelled Donald Trump to office has been reflected in political upheavals across the world.
“But some of Trump’s answers to the big questions facing America, and the divisive rhetoric around them, are clearly wrong.
“I have no doubt, however, that the decency and common sense of the American people will prevail, and we send our solidarity to a nation of migrants, innovators and democrats.“After this latest global wake up call, the need for a real alternative to a failed economic and political system could not be clearer.
“That alternative must be based on working together, social justice and economic renewal, rather than sowing fear and division. And the solutions we offer have to improve the lives of everyone, not pit one group of people against another.“Americans have made their choice. The urgent necessity is now for us all to work across continents to tackle our common global challenges: to secure peace, take action on climate change and deliver economic prosperity and justice.”
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