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Jeremy Corbyn's first general election campaign video barely mentioned Brexit

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn leaving the House of Commons, London, after MPs voted by 438 to 20 to back a Bill enabling the election to take place on December 12. (Photo by Rick Findler/PA Images via Getty Images)
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn leaving the House of Commons on Tuesday night. (Getty)

Jeremy Corbyn’s first general election campaign video has been criticised for barely mentioning Brexit.

MPs voted in favour of the Prime Minister’s plans for a December 12 poll on Tuesday evening and the Labour leader posted the promotional video on Twitter soon afterwards.

The one minute, 40 seconds-long video contains references to Labour’s views on the winter fuel allowance and the fox hunting ban ahead of Britain’s departure from the EU.

In fact, the first reference to Brexit is only made 40 seconds into the clip and there are only two further mentions.

In a statement released soon afterwards, Mr Corbyn said: "This election is a once-in-a-generation chance to transform our country and take on the vested interests holding people back.

"The choice at this election could not be clearer. A Labour government will be on your side, while Boris Johnson’s Conservatives – who think they’re born to rule – will only look after the privileged few.

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"We will now launch the most ambitious and radical campaign for real change that our country has ever seen.

"This is our chance to build a country for the many not the few and fit for the next generation."

Responding to criticism that Mr Corbyn had apparently dodged the question of Brexit in both the video and the statement, Andrew Gwynne, Labour's election coordinator, insisted the party wasn't ducking the issue.

"Brexit is one of the issues of the election and we have a very clear position that we will negotiate a credible Brexit deal but ultimately let the people decide," he told Sky News.

"But this election is much more than how we deal with Brexit because it is about the future direction of our country.

"This country is suffering after a decade of Tory cuts - public services are on their needs."

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