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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, driven to a large extent by a social media campaign by supporters of left wing MP Jeremy Corbyn. 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 concernsData 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 contestLabour leadership contest
At-a-glance profiles of the four contendersAt-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.