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Agence France-Presse

Britain’s opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn on Tuesday won a crucial victory against rebels seeking to unseat him, after the party’s executive committee ruled he would automatically be included on a leadership ballot.
The veteran socialist faces a challenge by senior MP Angela Eagle, although others may decide to stand in the race which will see the winner crowned in September.
Three-quarters of Labour lawmakers backed a vote of no confidence in Corbyn on June 28, after months of criticism over his leadership boiled over following the shock vote by Britons to leave the European Union.
Bring it on: UK Labour chief Corbyn says ‘no pressure’ as he faces leadership challenge
But he has refused to resign, noting he was elected on a strong mandate by party members only last September.
Anyone standing for the leadership needs 51 nominations from Labour MPs or members of the European Parliament (MEPs) - and it was not clear that, despite his grassroots support, Corbyn could secure them.
After closed-door discussions lasting almost six hours, the 33 members of Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) decided to include him automatically on the ballot.
“The NEC has agreed that as the incumbent leader Jeremy Corbyn will go forward onto the ballot without requiring nominations from the Parliamentary Labour Party and the European Parliamentary Labour Party,” a spokesman said.
“All other leadership candidates will require nominations from 20 per cent of the PLP and EPLP.”
Corbyn said he was “delighted” at the result of the secret vote, which backed him by 18 votes to 14, and emerged triumphant from the talks to cheers from supporters.
UK Labour leader Corbyn loses no-confidence vote by a landslide but still refuses to quit
He said the leadership campaign, in which he would fight “on all the things that matter”, from inequality and poverty to improving opportunities, would strengthen Labour.
“That will strengthen our party in order to defeat this Tory government and bring in a government that cares for the people,” he said.
Corbyn’s finance spokesman and ally John McDonnell added on Twitter: “Democracy prevails. We will use the leadership election to sign up even more members and prepare ground for general election.”
Eagle, whose challenge has now become much harder, said she welcomed Corbyn’s inclusion on the leadership ballot.
“I’m glad Labour’s NEC has come to a decision. I welcome the contest ahead. And I am determined to win it,” she said on Twitter.
The shock vote for Britain to leave the EU in the June 23 sparked turmoil across the political establishment, with Prime Minister David Cameron stepping down.
His interior minister, Theresa May, will succeed him in Downing Street on Wednesday after her last remaining challenger for the Conservative leadership pulled out.
She has ruled out calling an early general election - the next one is not due until 2020 - although some suggest she should capitalise on the disarray in Labour’s ranks.
The Labour leadership race will formally get underway Thursday, with media reports suggesting candidates will be put to a ballot of members in August before a new leader is announced on September 24.
Corbyn’s victory last year was attributed to a surge of new party members who signed up for £3 to vote in the leadership race.
But this time around, anyone who was not a fully registered party member by January will have to pay £25 for the right to vote.


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Brexit

UK Labour chief Corbyn gets automatic place on leadership ballot, in key  blow to party rebels

Britain's Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn stops to have his picture taken with supporters after a meeting of the National Executive Committee in central London on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

British Opposition Labour Party MP Angela Eagle holds a press conference in London on July 11, 2016, to launch her bid for the leadership of the main opposition Labour Party. Eagle said she was trying to save Labour from doom as she prepared to announce formally her attempt to topple embattled leader Jeremy Corbyn -- a veteran socialist accused of lukewarm campaigning for Britain to stay in the European Union. / AFP PHOTO / CHRIS J RATCLIFFE

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