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Jeremy Corbyn takes part in Mumsnet chat: ‘I do not have a rare skin condition’

This morning Jeremy Corbyn told Radio 4’s Women’s Hour that a thread on Mumsnet in which he was described by one user as being ‘attractive in a world weary old sea dog sort of way’ was ‘the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever heard’.

So it must have been with some trepidation that Corbyn agreed to take part in a Mumsnet Q&A this lunchtime alongside his Labour leadership rival Liz Kendall. Would the lusty online mothers be able to put their amorous feelings to one side and ask a sensible question?

The chat began with Corbyn answering a question regarding whether he has what it takes to handle the media scrutiny a party leader often attracts:

‘It’s a bad [sic] sad when so much media are only capable of concentrating on personal and often abusive comments, and obviously devalues the whole political process. I’m someone that sleeps easy and is happy to look at myself in the mirror each morning. I think having a balance in life between work and other things is important and actually makes one better as a public representative.’

He then went on to answer why his fellow Labour MPs should be loyal to him, given that he himself has a reputation for being a party rebel:

Fizzicles: You’ve defied the whip many many times. Would you expect loyalty from your parliamentary colleagues and do you think your history as a rebel would hinder this?

Jeremy Corbyn: If I’m elected leader of the party I would seek to be as broad and inclusive as possible, consistent with the economic, social and international directions I wish the party to follow, and would encourage discussion and debate. The best leaders encourage people rather than instruct them. It’s interesting you describe me as a rebel, whereas I would defend my parliamentary voting record as being one of defending civil liberties and constantly in search of economic justice for the people of this country.

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