Jeremy Corbyn praised for 'best ever' PMQs performance as he clashes with Theresa May over grammar schools

Sebastian Mann14 September 2016
WEST END FINAL

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Labour MPs loudly cheered their leader Jeremy Corbyn in a PMQs outing widely labelled his "best ever".

Members on Opposition back benches, who overwhelmingly back leadership challenger Owen Smith, voiced emphatic support as Mr Corbyn clashed with Theresa May over her plan to lift the ban on new grammar schools.

Political commentators also roundly agreed the opposition leader had put in perhaps his best performance at the despatch box to date.

Mr Corbyn used his first question to tease Mrs May about an apparent absence of support for her new education policy.

He said: “I want to congratulate the Prime Minister. She has brought about unity between Ofsted and the teaching unions.

PMQs: Mrs May met Mr Corbyn for their third clash across the despatch box 
PA

“She's united former education secretaries on both sides of the house.

“She's truly brought about a new era of unity in education thinking.

“I wonder if it's possible for her this morning within the quiet confines of this house to name any educational experts that back her proposals on new grammar schools and more selection.”

Mrs May, who as well as Mr Corbyn went to a grammar school, insisted her plan was about “levelling up” while Labour wanted to “level down”, adding that hers would be a “more diverse system that provides more opportunities”.

But Mr Corbyn hit back amid loud cheers: "Equality of opportunity is not segregating children at the age of 11."

Anti-Corbyn MP Jamie Reed, who dramatically resigned from the front bench just minutes after Mr Corbyn won the leadership last summer, was among those to praise the leader, tweeting: "Jeremy Corbyn entirely right on grammar schools. Utter stupidity from May."

Political commentators were also impressed, with some labelling the performance Mr Corbyn's best ever.

In her first PMQs appearance following the summer break, Mrs May also paid tribute to her predecessor David Cameron after he resigned from frontline politics on Monday, saying he was a "tremendous public servant".

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