In what has been called a resounding “victory for the people,” anti-war, anti-austerity socialist Jeremy Corbyn on Friday was elected leader of the British Labour party.

Taking 59.5 percent of first-preference votes, the long-shot win is seen as a clear renunciation of the policies currently dominating UK and European politics. According to reports, Corbyn sailed past rivals Andy Burnham, who trailed with 19 percent, and Yvette Cooper, who won 17 percent. Liz Kendall, the “Blairite” candidate, came in last with 4.5 percent.

Supporters say the triumph marks a sea-change within the established order.

“British politics will never be the same,” said Salman Shaheen of Britain’s progressive Left Unity party in a statement. Corbyn’s victory, Shaheen added, “shatters the main parties’ consensus on austerity, war and many other issues. This victory is part of a new kind of politics that is rising across Europe, as people reclaim hope and mass movements grow for real alternatives.”

In a speech following the win, Corbyn thanked those who, catalyzed by his candidacy, flocked to the Labour party. The number of people who paid £3 to take part in the vote nearly tripled the party’s size, as it grew to roughly 550,000 people.

Speaking to his supporters, Corbyn vowed to return the party to its founding principles of “justice” and “democracy,” and work to better the whole of the country.

SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT