Labour membership rises by 100,000 as leadership battle continues

Image credit: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Labour's membership has grown by more than 100,000 as its factions prepare for a leadership election.

The significant increase in members has taken place as efforts continue by rebel MPs to unseat Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

More than 60 shadow ministers have resigned, while three-quarters of Labour MPs backed a motion of no confidence in their leader.

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Sources close to Mr Corbyn say the bulk of those who have joined since the EU referendum a fortnight ago have done so to vote for him if another leadership election takes place.

But a former adviser to his predecessor, Ed Miliband, last night cast doubt on that claim.

Tom Baldwin tweeted: “Labour membership risen by 113,000 since the EUref. Narrow majority pro-Corbyn but not as overwhelming as Momentum pretends - or would like”.

Talks between deputy Labour leader Tom Watson and union leaders to thrash out a deal will continue over the weekend, while sources close to Angela Eagle have said she will challenge him next week if he is still in place.