MORE than 2,000 people turned up at the Camden Centre to hear Jeremy Corbyn on Monday night. When the main hall and two overflow rooms were packed full, he addressed the remaining 500 spectators from atop the Fire Brigades Union’s red engine out in the street.

The excitement generated by this dogged veteran of pickets has taken both his supporters and opponents by shock.

Though now the bookies’ favourite to win, his opponents are now all the more determined to squeeze him out by giving the three “mainstream” candidates their second preferences.

Tony Benn’s unsuccessful deputy leadership challenge was criticised in subsequent years for its presidential nature — allowing momentum to drift away.

Corbyn, who always talks of “we” and never “I,” is insistent the campaign for socialist policies must go on if he is beaten.

But if he wins, the Labour left will need this momentum even more — to face down the inevitable Establishment backlash.