Politics

Jeremy Corbyn mounted a robust defence of immigration at the annual Labour conference, saying his party would not aim to cut migrant numbers if elected to government.

But this stance is unlikely to win back support from disenchanted voters in Crewe and Nantwich - a constituency which was once solidly Labour, but is now Conservative, and voted to leave the EU.

ITV News Political Correspondent Carl Dinnen reports:

Union leaders Len McCluskey and Dave Ward have praised Jeremy Corbyn's closing speech at the Labour party conference.

Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite, said Mr Corbyn was determined to rebuild trust in politics.

Dave Ward, leader of the Communication Workers Union, said: "Jeremy Corbyn deserves the time and space to set out his vision for our country. Today he looked and sounded like a leader.

"We urge the whole Labour Party to unite behind our leader, who holds the largest mandate in history. Let's create a society for the millions not the millionaires."

Unison general secretary Dave Prentis said the speech was 'ambitious'.

He said: "We must ignore the doom mongers, the next election is not lost, but the year ahead has to be about how Labour wins back the support of voters across the country."

Josh Hardie, CBI deputy director-general, said: "The CBI shares much of Labour's vision for a fairer society underpinned by good business.

"Labour is certainly laying out a new way forward and we urge them to iron out inconsistent messages - especially the relationship between state and industry - and clarify policies that are sometimes hard to see delivered and paid for."

Labour will offer a socialism 'fit for the 21st Century' in order to win the next election, leader Jeremy Corbyn has pledged.

Mr Corbyn insisted that the party would fight for its long-terms goals of "equality of wealth and income" but "also for power".

He was speaking as the party's conference in Liverpool came to a close.

Jeremy Corbyn has again apologised for the war in Iraq on behalf of the Labour party.

He said the consequences of conflicts in Iraq and Libya "have been the spread of terrorism, sectarianism and violence".

ITV News Political Editor Robert Peston, who is at the conference in Liverpool, said the apology was given a standing ovation.

The audience also got to their feet when Mr Corbyn promised to stop selling British arms to Saudi Arabia.

He said: "Today I make it clear that under a Labour government when there are credible reports of human rights abuses or war crimes being committed British arms sales will be suspended, starting with Saudi Arabia."

The Labour party will "tackle the real issues of immigration" and "not offer false promises" on the issue, leader Jeremy Corbyn has promised.

While admitting that "immigration can certainly put extra pressure on services", Mr Corbyn said his party "will not sow division by fanning the flames of fear".

The Conservative party has been accused of 'gerrymandering' by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn over proposed changes to constituency boundaries which could lead to few Labour MPs.

Mr Corbyn said the proposed savings from removing 50 MPs would be "dwarfed" by the extra 260 peers former Prime Minister David Cameron appointed while in office.

He added that the proposals are being pushed forward by Prime Minister Theresa May who "was elevated to her job without a single vote being cast."

• Read: How will the constituency changes affect you?

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has addressed the anti-Semitism row which has recently dogged the party.

Calling racism against Jewish people "an evil" he said, "this party always has and always will fight against prejudice and hatred of Jewish people with every breath in its body."

Mr Corbyn added: "The party must be a safe and welcoming space for everybody and we will continue to take firm action against abuse and intimidation".

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has made an impassioned plea for the party to unite in his closing speech at the party conference in Liverpool.

Speaking to a packed conference Hall, Mr Corbyn said the party would only be able to "fight the Tories" if it worked together.

He said it had been "a testing time for the whole party" but quoted murdered Jo Cox when he added: "We have far more in common with each other than things that divide us".