LABOUR leader Jeremy Corbyn spoke of his desire to remain at the helm of the party after being “moved” by support for him in Dorset.

Mr Corbyn spoke at the annual Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival yesterday and took part in a procession through the village, flanked by union members and supporters.

The festival is held each year to mark the actions of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, who formed what is considered to be one of the first trade unions in the 19th century.

They were transported to Australia as punishment for swearing an unlawful oath.

They became heroes back home and 800,000 signatures were collected petitioning their release before they were formally pardoned in 1836.

Mr Corbyn was greeted with chants of “Jez we can” and he posed for photos as he marched through the streets of Tolpuddle.

He later told the Echo that his supporters “affirm” his desire to remain leader of the party.

He added: “I was quite moved by the kindness of some of the people here today.

“It is not about me; it is about the idea that politics can work for ordinary people wanting things to be done better and differently.

“They also encourage others in the idea that if we stick at it and treat people with respect then we can make a lot of progress.

“A year ago, the Labour Party was abstaining on the Welfare Reform Bill and supporting cuts in public spending, but here we are now in a completely different situation.

“I am proud of some of the things we have achieved over the past year.”

Mr Corbyn said that he was keen for the Labour Party to work with new Prime Minister Theresa May with negotiations for departure from the European Union.

He said that he would be “surprised” if the government called a general election in the near future.

He added: “I would love there to be an election because then we can get the alternative to the people of this country.”

Other speakers at the festival included Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, and TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady.