WAS JEREMY CORBYN DECEIVING VIEWERS WHEN SITTING ON THE FLOOR OF THE “RAM-PACKED” VIRGIN TRAIN?

RICHARD BRANSON, FOUNDER OF VIRGIN GROUP TWEETED CLAIMING THAT CORBYN HAD WALKED PAST EMPTY AND UNRESERVED SEATS, BEFORE TAKING A SEAT ON THE FLOOR.

Jeremy Corbyn is the man who is claiming to offer a “new kind of politics”and many people in the UK have shown support for his honesty and integrity, unlike the stereotype of modern-day politicians. For this reason, some were shocked when news hit the headlines of the Labour leader sitting on the floor of a Virgin train stating on video that he could not find a seat, when CCTV footage showed Corbyn walking past many empty seats just minutes earlier.

Corbyn, filmed by freelancer Yannis Mendez, was trying to demonstrate the need for railways to be renationalised by showing that there was not enough seats, so he had to sit on the floor. This has been disputed and mainstream media has been quick to use Branson’s “evidence” against Corbyn.

Jeremy responded in an interview when a journalist questioned him about the topic, although begrudgingly, since he was keen to stay on the topic of the NHS. The Labour leader explained his side of the story, saying he refused an upgrade to first class, and other seats were either reserved or had bags and other belongings on them. His claims were echoed by fellow travellers.

Some have praised Corbyn’s response, saying the interview was handled very professionally, while others still dispute his claims and remain untrusting of the leader.

“Passengers fully empathized with this story because far too many of them are having to put up with the sort of travel that Jeremy was right to highlight on a regular basis and have had to pay through the nose to do so.” Manuel Cortes, general secretary. of The Transport Salaried Staffs Association.

Although I understand that people may feel uncomfortable with the apparent deceit from a politician whose USP is his honesty and fairness, personally I don’t see it as a big issue whether he was being truthful or not. Corbyn was making a point about the need to renationalise railways, something which most agree is an important step to take. Private train companies are failing, as recent troubles with Southern Rail have demonstrated. Not many people disagree with that. Corbyn has tried to prove a point which could influence a positive change, and despite the fact that I believe he was being honest in not being able to find a seat, I respect him either way, for trying to bring the topic of railways into the media and trying to spark some advancement.