Overview

• A sold‑out Oldham event heard Jeremy Corbyn pitch his fledgling movement and meet privately with the borough’s group of independent councillors.
• Blackburn with Darwen Council limited the Grand Venue to 700 attendees after a late risk assessment, forcing many to listen outside with overflow arrangements.
• Corbyn said the movement has surpassed 700,000 sign‑ups and that a forthcoming people’s assembly will formalise the party’s name and decision‑making.
• He outlined priorities including ending the two‑child benefit cap, rent controls, a drive to build council housing, leasehold reform, reversing NHS outsourcing, and a peace‑focused stance on Gaza, Ukraine and Kashmir.
• Local response ranged from strong support to doubts about feasibility, as Corbyn cast the project as an alternative to Labour and the far right and urged unity in a multi‑ethnic Britain.