Corbyn promises to 'unite our country' in New Year message

Jeremy Corbyn has used his new year message to accuse Theresa May's Government of plunging the country into crisis by making a "mess" of Brexit.

The Labour leader said that the Prime Minister's efforts to force through her Withdrawal Agreement in a crunch Commons vote next month, were "letting people down all across the country, whether they voted Leave or Remain".

In the message, released on social media on Monday morning, he said that the UK was full of talent which was being held back by the economic system and Conservative rule.

He committed Labour to uniting a "divided" country by creating "a society where the talent of everyone is unleashed".

"There's so much talent across Britain but we're being held back by a system that for far too long has only served a privileged few," said Mr Corbyn.

"And now the Conservatives have plunged the country into crisis over the complete mess they've made of Brexit, trying to drive through a bad deal and letting people down all across the country whether they voted Leave or Remain.

"Eight years of damaging Tory failure has left us with a divided country where millions are struggling to make ends meet, where so many can't afford a home to call their own, where older people are deprived of the dignity they deserve and far too many are working in low paid and insecure jobs."

Mr Corbyn said: "We cannot go on like this. Labour is ready to deliver a radical alternative to rebuild and transform our country."

He promised: "We'll stand up to the powerful few so that the wealth you create is shared fairly not hoarded by a privileged elite.

"We'll work to create a society where the talent of everyone is unleashed. That's how we'll unite our country."