City
Epaper

Labour sees membership surge amid leadership race

By IANS | Updated: January 25, 2020 13:35 IST

The UK's main opposition Labour Party has experienced a surge in membership since the December 2019 general election and also amid the ongoing leadership race to replace incumbent chief Jeremy Corbyn, it was reported on Saturday.

Open in App

Constituency Labour parties (CLPs) have reported increases in local membership amid the ongoing leadership race, in which members will vote from February 21, the BBC report said.

In Hammersmith, west London, the CLP has seen a 32 per cent increase with 413 members joining in a single month, while in Bury North numbers have gone up by 26 per cent with 202 people signing up.

Elsewhere, Richmond, south-west London, now boasts 350 new members, up 30 per cent, and Hove, East Sussex, has 477 more, up 21 per cent, while Exeter has seen a 25 per cent increase with 300 additional members.

It was however, not clear whether these members have only joined to get a vote - but the surge will boost Labour's finances.

The five candidates in the leadership race are Indian-origin MP Lisa Nandy, Birmingham MP Jess Phillips; Shadow First Secretary of State Emily Thornberry; Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Keir Starmer; and Shadow Business Secretary MP Rebecca Long-Bailey.

The five contenders need the support of 5 per cent of local parties or at least three affiliates by February 14 to make the final ballot.

Members of the public who join the party or become affiliated supporters before January 20 will be eligible to vote in the contest, said the BBC.

Corbyn signalled his intention to stand down after Labour lost its fourth general election in a row and his second as Labour leader following the December 12, 2019 polls.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: labourbbcCLPLondonLisa Nandy
Open in App

Related Stories

MumbaiMumbai-London Air India Flight Diverted to Gatwick Due to Rough Weather Conditions at Heathrow Airport

Social ViralLondon Viral Video: Couple Caught on Camera Having Sex on Moving Double-Decker Bus in Hayes

BusinessNew Labour Law: Employees Will Now Receive Full and Final Settlement Money in Just 2 Days

MumbaiMumbai: Labourer dies after cement mixer trolley collapses at Bhendi Bazar redevelopment site

MumbaiMumbai: Police Arrest Visa Counsellor for Cheating Nepali Couple of ₹27 Lakh With Fake London Job and Visa Promise

International Realted Stories

InternationalINSV Kaundinya "Ship of Wood with Men of Steel" heads closer to Oman

InternationalIran internet shutdown touches 84-hour mark as Khamenei regime cracks down on protesters

InternationalPM Modi, German Chancellor Merz fly kite depicting Lord Hanuman at International Kite Festival

InternationalBangladesh polls: Leaders refuse to return to NCP after alliance with Jamaat

InternationalPM Modi, German Chancellor Merz share festive moments at International Kite Festival