Thousands came out to see Corbyn yesterday. But you wouldn’t know that from watching the BBC. [VIDEO]

Thousands of people came out to see Jeremy Corbyn on Tyneside on 5 June. But you wouldn’t know that from watching the BBC.

Although there was a massive crowd in Gateshead to see Corbyn speak, the BBC was apparently too busy covering a visit from Theresa May to a few dozen supporters in Scotland to take notice.

A number of annoyed Twitter commentators noticed this:

10,000 turnout just now for Jeremy Corbyn in Gateshead. Few will ever know because the BBC did not report it. pic.twitter.com/XkVXQbPqsr

— Tory Fibs (@ToryFibs) June 5, 2017

What do the BBC and Tories have in common?
Neither of them know where Gateshead is.

— Alan Gibbons (@mygibbo) June 5, 2017

And as former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott pointed out, this event was hardly insignificant:

This is a picture of Jeremy Corbyn addressing a crowd in Gateshead.
We never pulled crowds like this in 1997. #GE2017 pic.twitter.com/YsWPi7z7Lk

— John Prescott (@johnprescott) June 5, 2017

Two very different campaigns

Elsewhere on 5 June, Theresa May was visiting Scotland. And an organiser reportedly had to remind the 70 or so supporters gathered in Edinburgh to cheer and clap to avoid it looking “like there is no one here”.

There was no need for such a reminder back in Gateshead:

https://twitter.com/Corbynator2/status/871813250945617921

But many people were thoroughly unimpressed with the BBC apparently prioritising coverage of May’s trip over Corbyn’s rally. One of these people was Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner, who said:

BBC live stream May talking to Tory rent-a-crowd in a dull room but ignore massive crowd in pouring rain Gateshead addressed by Jeremy👎

— Angela Rayner (@AngelaRayner) June 5, 2017

That’s been the story of the 2017 election campaign so far, though. The routine defence of the Tories by establishment media outlets has continued. And opposition politicians have had to fight hard to get their message out. But in spite of all the obstacles in their way, the message of hope and change has spread. And the massive crowds that Jeremy Corbyn has attracted throughout the country are testament to that.

Corbyn’s message in Gateshead

The Labour leader made his message clear, insisting that Britain has suffered:

seven years of cuts, seven years of closures, seven years of frozen wages, seven years of underfunded schools, hospital waiting lists, and so much more… It’s time for a change.

And while BBC Newcastle apparently had little to say on the rally, one BBC reporter posted the following video. In it, Corbyn spoke about the condescending politicians or media outlets that claim Corbyn supporters don’t understand reality. And he challenged that arrogance by insisting:

We absolutely do understand it.

Jeremy Corbyn's impression of "the cynics" earlier pic.twitter.com/CMH8HdWsXa

— Esther Webber (@estwebber) June 5, 2017

See Corbyn’s full speech here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUVUC1NHftY

Two very different campaigns

Although Corbyn’s message of hope and change has managed to spread in spite of media hostility, attracting massive crowds across Britain, the election is far from won.

To get the Tories out of power, the next couple of days will be crucial. And we all have an important part to play.

Get Involved!

– Vote on 8 June! And encourage others to do the same.

– Discuss the key policy issues with family members, colleagues and neighbours. And organise! Join (and participate in the activities of) a union, an activist group, and/or a political party.

– Also read more from The Canary on the 2017 general election.

– Support The Canary if you value the work we do.

Featured image via Twitter screenshot