Socialist Jeremy Corbyn Storms Ahead in Labour Leadership Election

However, a spokesman confirmed that Mr Corbyn would seek to open up a discussion about “public ownership objectives for the 21st century” – including the railways – if he won the race to succeed Ed Miliband.

Corbyn has faced criticism during his leadership campaign for calling Arab groups Hamas and Hezbollah “friends, ” and insisting they be involved in regional peace talks”.

‘Labour needs radical ideas for the future, not to turn the clock back.

“Can we be really certain Jeremy Corbyn is as far ahead of his rivals as the Times YouGov survey suggests?”

Mr Campbell told party members and supporters who will receive their voting forms in the next week that a triumph for Mr Corbyn would show that Labour had “given up on being a serious party of government”.

“I have met Hamas in Lebanon and I’ve met Hezbollah in this country and Lebanon”, said Corbyn.

Tonight, Rochdale’s Labour MP Simon Danczuk said: “Having seen the list in relation to Rochdale and hearing the horror stories from around the country in terms of entryism within the Labour party, I do think we’re moving to a position where the election probably isn’t tenable”.

Clause IV backed “common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange” but was removed from the party’s constitution at a special Easter conference in 1995 in the famously symbolic break from its socialist past. As a party we accepted that because we always accepted that there is a place for mavericks but if the maverick becomes the leader who called for individual judgment to be used over and above collective decision making then the message is clear.

Mr Corbyn will be the second of four contenders battling it out for the Labour crown to visit North Wales.

He said: “To be quite honest I think Jeremy Corbyn can take the Labour Party back to its roots”.

But senior Labour figures believe that Corbyn is building up an apparently unstoppable momentum among Labour party members and new registered supporters, who can vote in the leadership contest if they pay £3 and sign a statement making a commitment to Labour values.

Mr Corbyn is now favourite to win the leadership race with several bookmakers and polls tipping him to win.

In an interview with The Huffington Post UK website, Mr Burnham acknowledged that many had been drawn by the excitement generated by Mr Corbyn’s leadership bid.

The Blackley and Broughton MP said Labour’s new leadership election system makes it impossible to determine whether those signing up are genuine supporters – or if they are merely trying to skew its result.

The row came amid fresh warnings from wealthy Labour donors that they would stop contributing to the party if Mr Corbyn becomes leader.