Why Bernie Sanders is delighted about the UK election results

Former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn have a lot in common.

Both ran on a radical, uncompromising, anti-establishment left-wing platform and, although they narrowly stopped short of winning, they undoubtedly upset the political system.

As Corbyn exceeded any expectations in the UK general elections and Labour were looking to increase their number of parliamentary seats, Sanders left a jubilant comment for his British pal.

“I am delighted to see Labour do so well,” he told the Washington Post. “All over the world people are rising up against austerity and massive levels of income and wealth inequality."

"People in the UK, the US and elsewhere want governments that represent all the people, not just the 1 per cent. I congratulate Jeremy Corbyn for running a very positive and effective campaign.”

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Just a few days before the UK election, Sanders spoke warmly of Corbyn during a three-day UK speaking tour, finding similarities between the anti-establishment anger in Britain and the US.

“What has impressed me – and there is a real similarity between what he has done and what I did – is he has taken on the establishment of the Labour party, he has gone to the grassroots and he has tried to transform that party … and that is exactly what I am trying to do,” said Sanders.

“I am also impressed by his willingness to talk about class issues,” he added during a sold-out speech promoting his book at the Brighton festival. “Too many people run away from the grotesque levels of income and wealth inequality that exist in the United States, the UK and all over the world. We will never make the kind of changes we need unless we take on the levels of inequality that exist.”