Labour party leadership election deadline extended

Here, we ask prominent south Essex Labour politicians who they are backing?

The registration deadline in order to vote in the Labour leadership election was yesterday.

One reader, Stuart Ellis, said he had joined up as an affiliated supporter through Unite on the day after the election, having been involved in leftwing politics in his youth and helping the Lib Dems fight the Tories in his local seat, but never actually becoming a member of any political party. The party has now extended the deadline until 3pm.

Labour party Jeremy Corbyn outside his campaign headquarters in north London, Wednesday July 22, 2015.

Jeremy Corbyn is ahead in the polls. And he did this while blocking election winning policies on immigration and welfare.

At the general election in May, Labour had “appeared both pro-austerity and economically incompetent, which was a hell of an achievement”, he added.

Labour, they say, would benefit from a new energy, and from younger members coming out of the Greens and the Liberal Democrats. And we all know what has happened since.

Arsenal fans just love a vote, don’t they?

“All of the candidates are very committed people”.

However, on Tuesday it revealed some 1,200 applications had been rejected on the grounds they were not genuine supporters.

None of Teesside’s MPs nominated Mr Corbyn for the original ballot; Tom Blenkinsop opted for Liz Kendall while Andy McDonald, Anna Turley and Alex Cunningham backed Andy Burnham.

But with a Conservative majority in Parliament, Corbyn’s many fervent advocates suggest he would be a better opponent to Prime Minister David Cameron at the weekly prime minister’s question time, more able to puncture what some consider Cameron’s air of casual superiority. I’m of the opinion that although he brings many ideas to the table he would be the weakest choice. It’s all about the undecided and getting them on board and I don’t think he can attract those sorts of people.

Brian Marley, a Brighton-based writer who received a confirmation email from Labour in June, said he then received an email telling him he needed to reactivate his membership if he wanted to vote.

“Those that govern are those that can make the change, we can’t do that as opposition”.

The 45-year-old former health secretary is the second favourite to take over the Labour Party reins following the resignation of former leader Ed Miliband.

Who are the other candidates in the race?

GAVIN CALLAGHAN Leader of Basildon Council’s Labour Group.

He believes it will take him all the way to Downing Street. Andy Burnham recognised that.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on. He is a grafter.

People want something different.

“He is a fearless politician who is driven by a passion to see every person fulfil their potential”.