The British general election campaign is underway, with Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party trailing in the polls.

Despite a strong start to the campaign, the left-wing leader is already facing familiar challenges. Hostile MPs within his own party say they will never vote for him as prime minister and that he isn’t up to the job. Others criticize him for not preventing an early election, only months after some conspired with the Tories in pursuit of one.

Matt Zarb-Cousin was spokesperson for Jeremy Corbyn until early this year. He talks with Jacobin contributor Max Shanly about working in the Leaders’ Office, how he dealt with unprecedented hostility inside and outside the party, and his belief that Labour will rebound from their difficulties in the general election campaign.