Corbyn aides insist he is 'extremely vigorous' amid warnings from colleagues that veteran left-winger will be TOO OLD to lead Labour into a 2022 election

  • Jeremy Corbyn has consolidated grip on Labour following the general election
  • But senior figure expressed doubts whether he could fight as leader in 2022
  • Next election scheduled for May 2022 by which time Mr Corbyn will be nearly 73
  • Shadow cabinet minister said he would need to commit to serve five years as PM
  • Aides said Labour leader will fight the next election 'whenever that might be'

Jeremy Corbyn's aides have dismissed concerns from senior colleagues that he will be too old to lead Labour into a general election by 2022.

The leader's spokesman denied the 68-year-old had a 'senior moment' at PMQs and said speculation about his ability to continue in the demanding role for another decade were 'nonsense'.

The veteran left-winger has made clear he has no intention of standing down before the nation goes to the polls again - saying his diet of 'porridge and energy bars' will keep him going.

But a shadow cabinet source told MailOnline that if the parliament runs for a full five years Mr Corbyn, at the age of nearly 73, will be unable to cling on. They suggested Tory MPs were highly unlikely to collapse the government early.

Mr Corbyn was brutally put down by Theresa May in the Commons this afternoon when he apparently forgot to ask a question - instead making a statement and sitting down again.

Mr Corbyn was brutally put down by Theresa May in the Commons this afternoon when he apparently forgot to ask a question - instead making a statement and sitting down again

Mr Corbyn was brutally put down by Theresa May in the Commons this afternoon when he apparently forgot to ask a question - instead making a statement and sitting down again

Mr Corbyn campaigned energetically during the general election in June last year. He is pictured giving a speech in Telford

Mr Corbyn campaigned energetically during the general election in June last year. He is pictured giving a speech in Telford

Mr Corbyn's spokesman denied suggestions he had suffered a 'senior moment'.

'Jeremy will be continuing to lead the Labour party and fight the next election,' the spokesman said.

'It's nonsense that the whole matter is in question, it's nonsense that he had a senior moment, it's nonsense on all fronts.

'Jeremy is extremely energetic, works extremely long hours and since he has been doing this job has performed at an extremely effective and high level.

'He is extremely vigorous. He has become more effective as a leader since he was first elected.

'I see no sign whatsoever that his age is an impediment to continuing to be leader.'

The row came after a shadow cabinet colleague told MailOnline: 'A leader standing at a general election has to commit to doing a full five years.

'Jeremy is in good shape, but by May 2027 he will be nearly 78.'

Rumours about the leadership have been swirling despite Mr Corbyn consolidating his grip with the better-than-expected election result last June.

The Left has been focused on taking full control of the Labour machine, with Momentum founder Jon Lansman among three Corbynites elected to the ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) yesterday.

Moderate MPs fear a round of deselections as the party is shifted away from the Tony Blair era.

But there is currently no obvious successor for Mr Corbyn on the Left - sparking concerns that his project could be unwound again.

Shadow business secretary Rebecca Long Bailey, Laura Pidcock and Angela Rayner are among those touted as possible contenders.  

Shadow business secretary Rebecca Long Bailey
Angela Rayner are regarded as possible leadership contenders

Shadow business secretary Rebecca Long Bailey and Angela Rayner are regarded as possible leadership contenders

Jeremy Corbyn has made clear he has no intention of standing down before the nation goes to the polls again - saying his diet of 'porridge and energy bars' will keep him going

Jeremy Corbyn has made clear he has no intention of standing down before the nation goes to the polls again - saying his diet of 'porridge and energy bars' will keep him going

In a pre-Christmas interview, the Labour leader dismissed questions about whether he could sustain the level of campaigning needed until 2022.

'I eat porridge every morning; porridge and energy bars and I keep off alcohol and meat. I've got loads of energy.'  

In May last year Mr Corbyn also suggested that 68 was 'too late' to retire from a stressful job.

After a speech at the Royal College of Nursing Conference in Liverpool, he was quizzed over his attitude to the pension age.

A nurse complained that they are 'now expected to work in this demanding job until I am 68', adding: 'Do you think this is safe for my patients, do you think this is safe for me? And if not, what will you do about it?' 

Indicating that Labour opposed raising the state retirement age, Mr Corbyn said: 'I think 68, as they say, is too late.'