In a defiant message to critics of his left-wing programme, the Labour leader told those gathered in Birmingham for the manifesto’s launch that “ferocious” attacks on him are a sign that the powerful elite are scared of his determination to change a system rigged in their favour. Notwithstanding Corbyn scoring over Boris Johnson during the TV debate, the rightist media and centrist forces tried to create impression that Boris has been ahead of him which in reality has not been correct. Boris strategy to stick to his Brexit agenda did not yield much benefit.

Quoting Franklin D Roosevelt, the president who introduced a “New Deal” for the US in the 1930s, Corbyn said: “They are unanimous in their hate for me, and I welcome their hatred.” With 20 days left for the D-day, this approach of Corbyn is quite interesting. The rightist elements have been painting the leftists as obstinate guys. But this stance of Corbyn is against the common perception.

UK had to face severe criticism for defying UN deadline to hand over control of Indian Ocean territory. But Corbyn had decided to return Chagos Islands if Labour gets elected. Corbyn has pledged to renounce British sovereignty of the remote Chagos Islands and respect a UN vote calling for the archipelago to be handed back to Mauritius. A politician with rightist bane of mind cannot be expected to act in this manner.

Earlier this year, the UN general assembly voted by an overwhelming majority of 116 to six countries in favour of a motion condemning Britain’s occupation of the remote islands and demanding that what the Foreign Office terms the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) be reunified with Mauritius.

It is significant to watch that the conditions for leftwing radicalism are more favourable now. In 1974 and 1983, Britain was moving to the right in its underlying political and social attitudes. These days even Tories rarely make that claim – not after the financial crisis, the discrediting of austerity and the dawning realisation that free-market capitalism, at least in its present form, is not compatible with saving the planet.

The main problem with Boris Johnson has been his pig-headedness. He cannot rise above his ego. He claims to be a journalist, but no journalist would ever denigrate and use abusive language against the women of any community as he did. He refused to apologise for his past newspaper articles, including a column that claimed women wearing burqas “look like letter boxes,” and another that referred to “tank topped bumboys”.

The manner in which Corbyn argued his case and placed his ideas before the common Britishers makes it explicitly clear that he has been pursuing the politics of pragmatism. Like Boris he did not harp on rhetoric and obstinacy. While continuing to pursue Brexit, he accused Corbyn of having an unrealitis plan and policy. But on his part Corbyn had a flexible and pragmatic approach. Basically this was reason that he emphasised on taking a “neutral stance” in a future Brexit referendum. Labour’s Brexit policy is to negotiate a new deal within three months of coming to power – and then put it to a referendum, alongside an option to remain in the EU, within six months.

Despite the vast majority of Labour members being pro-remain, Corbyn has always declined to say how he would campaign. For a believer in Marxism, pragmatism is the essence of the politics. But for a rightist it is the rhetoric that matters most. Ignoring the fundamental economic and pro-people issues, Boris has simply harping on Brexit. But in Corbyn’s views voters are sick of the current debate which has been giving rise to an atmosphere of economic uncertainty. The election tone and temperament must conform to the public perception.

It is worth mentioning that Corbyn had earlier said he would not support a poll in the first two or more years of the next parliament – and that he would first like the chance to implement the £100bn increase in investment Labour has promised for Scotland. Corbyn has been a sensible pragmatist, not the socialist firebrand of tabloid reputation. He had candid message that Labour would stake out a middle ground on Brexit – staying neutral in a second referendum – and invest heavily in vital infrastructure and public services. With a weak infrastructure UK will lose its glory and global relevance.

Corbyn announcement that he would be neutral in Labour’s commitment to implement a referendum on Brexit has been a matter of concern for the Tories. They are scared of losing the support of the centrist forces. Boris stridently pursuing Brexit forced Britain to the verge of a split. Johnsons’ offensive comments about Muslim women led to a 375% surge in Islamophobic hate crimes. His attempts to draw a line after a decade of Tory rule were savaged.

Tuesday’s Johnson-Corbyn head-to-head and Friday night’s one-by-one debate panel proved to be vastly in the latter’s favour. The BBC’s two-hour session was far more serious, more penetrating and more revealing. The most striking continuity between the two sessions proved to be the audiences’ abrasive reaction towards Boris Johnson.

Boris Johnson in power with a no-deal Brexit Britain will be faced with worst days. Already Britain has become the home of a huge population of poor people. Johnson has promised “new money” for the NHS but is it enough to heal a system that bleeds from a thousand cuts? While British children are going hungry stories of proposed tax cuts that would raise incomes for the rich are making rounds.

If Jeremy Corbyn’s attacks on the billionaires, bankers and out-of-control multinationals are called the politics of envy, he’s not out of step with voters. The Hansard survey finds 63% think Britain’s system of government is “rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. The ultimate question is whether Corbyn can seize these last three weeks and breathe excitement into enough voters with this dazzling array of policies.

The party will conduct an “audit” of the impact of Britain’s colonial legacy “to understand our contribution to the dynamics of violence and insecurity across regions previously under British colonial rule”. Manifesto underlines the party will act to close tax loopholes currently enjoyed by some institutions. (IPA Service)