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Labour leadership: Huge increase in party's electorate | Labour leadership: Huge increase in party's electorate |
(about 20 hours later) | |
Labour received more than 160,000 applications to vote in its leadership contest in the final 24 hours of registrations, the party has said. | Labour received more than 160,000 applications to vote in its leadership contest in the final 24 hours of registrations, the party has said. |
The number of applications via trade unions more than doubled and the number of party members and £3 registered supporters also rose. | The number of applications via trade unions more than doubled and the number of party members and £3 registered supporters also rose. |
It takes the potential total electorate in the leadership contest to 610,753. | It takes the potential total electorate in the leadership contest to 610,753. |
Labour says checks are still taking place on all new members to weed out non-party supporters. | Labour says checks are still taking place on all new members to weed out non-party supporters. |
In other developments: | In other developments: |
The Labour Party has sharply increased in size since May's general election, with tens of thousands of people either becoming full members or registered supporters, thought to be driven to a by a social media campaign by supporters of left wing MP Jeremy Corbyn. | |
Data concerns | Data concerns |
The latest figures, tweeted by the party, are of 189,703 affiliated union members, 121,295 registered supporters and 299,755 members. | The latest figures, tweeted by the party, are of 189,703 affiliated union members, 121,295 registered supporters and 299,755 members. |
Labour said all the numbers were subject to change as it continued to verify all the applications. | Labour said all the numbers were subject to change as it continued to verify all the applications. |
In figures released by Labour on Tuesday, the total was 444,000. | In figures released by Labour on Tuesday, the total was 444,000. |
At the general election Labour had just over 200,000 full members. | At the general election Labour had just over 200,000 full members. |
It appears some unions waited until the final day to present their voter applications. | It appears some unions waited until the final day to present their voter applications. |
Details of the new supporters signed up through trade unions will be handed to all four campaigns in 10 days' time. | Details of the new supporters signed up through trade unions will be handed to all four campaigns in 10 days' time. |
But Mr Corbyn's rivals fear his campaign will already have access to the data, giving him an advantage when it comes to canvassing for votes. | But Mr Corbyn's rivals fear his campaign will already have access to the data, giving him an advantage when it comes to canvassing for votes. |
That is because most of those who registered through trade unions are thought to be Corbyn supporters. | That is because most of those who registered through trade unions are thought to be Corbyn supporters. |
'Chaos' | 'Chaos' |
All four campaigns are understood to have raised the issue at meeting with party officials on Tuesday, where they sought assurances that there would be a "level playing field", sources say. | All four campaigns are understood to have raised the issue at meeting with party officials on Tuesday, where they sought assurances that there would be a "level playing field", sources say. |
The Liz Kendall, Andy Burnham and Yvette Cooper campaigns followed this up with a letter to party HQ asking for the data to be released as soon as possible. | The Liz Kendall, Andy Burnham and Yvette Cooper campaigns followed this up with a letter to party HQ asking for the data to be released as soon as possible. |
Labour leadership contest | Labour leadership contest |
At-a-glance profiles of the four contenders | At-a-glance profiles of the four contenders |
Backbench MPs Graham Stringer, Barry Sheerman, John Mann and Simon Danczuk have meanwhile called for the process to be halted. | Backbench MPs Graham Stringer, Barry Sheerman, John Mann and Simon Danczuk have meanwhile called for the process to be halted. |
Mr Stringer predicted the party would be subjected to the "chaos of legal process". | Mr Stringer predicted the party would be subjected to the "chaos of legal process". |
He told LBC: "I think if the election isn't paused that would be a shame and I think probably that people will take legal action because the rules are not being implemented properly." | He told LBC: "I think if the election isn't paused that would be a shame and I think probably that people will take legal action because the rules are not being implemented properly." |
Mr Mann said it was a "free for all". | Mr Mann said it was a "free for all". |
Labour has dismissed such fears, saying "robust" measures are in place to "weed out" bogus applications. | Labour has dismissed such fears, saying "robust" measures are in place to "weed out" bogus applications. |
Another MP, Diane Abbott, told BBC News claims of infiltration by members of other parties were "silly", saying Labour was "bending over backwards" to ensure no foul play. | Another MP, Diane Abbott, told BBC News claims of infiltration by members of other parties were "silly", saying Labour was "bending over backwards" to ensure no foul play. |
Ballot papers will begin to be sent out on Friday, and the result announced at a special conference on 12 September. | Ballot papers will begin to be sent out on Friday, and the result announced at a special conference on 12 September. |
After the deadline passed, Mr Corbyn tweeted support for Labour's "robust selection system in totally new circumstances" and said the party had to united and defeat the Conservatives in 2020. | After the deadline passed, Mr Corbyn tweeted support for Labour's "robust selection system in totally new circumstances" and said the party had to united and defeat the Conservatives in 2020. |
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