Newscast Old Newscast: How Jeremy Corbyn Won The Labour Leadership 2015 (Part 1)
Dec 29, 2025
Jane Merrick, a political journalist and former political editor of The Independent on Sunday, recounts the 2015 Labour leadership contest. She discusses the chaos following Ed Miliband’s resignation and how Jeremy Corbyn surprised many by entering the race. The change in voting rules facilitated wider participation and led to unforeseen debates within the party. Merrick also reflects on Corbyn's grassroots support and the critical moment when he secured enough nominations, setting the stage for his unexpected victory.
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From Outsider To Landslide Winner
- Jeremy Corbyn went from 200-to-1 outsider to winning nearly 60% of the vote in 2015.
- His victory reshaped Labour and surprised both media and party insiders.
Interim Choices Shaped Member Discontent
- Harriet Harman's decision not to oppose certain welfare cuts signalled a centrist, economically cautious stance.
- That positioning alienated some members and helped create appetite for a clearer left alternative.
The £3 Registered Supporter Effect
- Ed Miliband's 2013 rule changes allowed £3 registered supporters to vote in leadership elections.
- That low-cost route expanded the electorate and later proved decisive for Corbyn's support base.