Labour officials wanted Jeremy Corbyn to “walk on water” as he addressed followers from a floating platform in the sea.

Organisers looked at the idea of the party leader making a rousing eve-of-conference rally speech while perched on a mini raft off Brighton beach.

Activists would stand on the pebble shore as “JC” pledged to pump money into the NHS, reverse Tory cuts and slash inequality.

One idea involved the Labour leader perching on a platform in the sea (
Image:
Getty)

Planners even investigated tide times in the English Channel, but the idea was scrapped and never reached the party hierarchy.

While the weather was gloriously sunny in Brighton on Saturday, sea conditions were relatively choppy with big waves crashing onto the Sussex coastline.

Mr Corbyn eventually delivered his stirring speech in a skate park.

He eventually spoke to activists in a skate park (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

Revealing how the original plan involved him appearing to defy the ocean, one MP said: “The events organising people wanted Jeremy to stand on a platform floating in the sea, near the pier.

“He was going to stand offshore and the rally would take place on the beach, with Jeremy addressing the activists over a loudspeaker.

“They got as far as looking at tide times. They thought it would make a great picture – JC literally walking on water, sort of.

“It was also going to be like Moses parting the Red Sea and leading his followers to the Promised Land.”

Mr Corbyn's rallies attract huge crowds

Mr Corbyn's rallies were a major feature of the general election campaign.

His team used the tactic to great success in his leadership fights in 2015 and 2016. He sealed victory with landslide wins in both battles.

Asked about the floating platform plan, a source close to Mr Corbyn laughed off the suggestion saying: “We're inventive but we're not that inventive."