Oldham West’s victory gives Jeremy Corbyn a chance to smile | Simon Jenkins

Jim McMahon swept to byelection triumph, but the result also marks the Labour leader’s first electoral test; one where the Tories were beaten into third place

“A vote of confidence in the Labour party,” said a relieved Jeremy Corbyn of his party’s victory in the Oldham West and Royton byelection last night. It was his first electoral test as leader and he passed. After a week in political hell, the sight of cheering supporters and waving rosettes must have been comforting beyond all expectatio...