Poll boost for Jeremy Corbyn in Labour leadership battle

Jeremy Corbyn has a 24 point lead over Owen Smith in the Labour leadership contest, according to a new poll.

A YouGov survey for the London Times of those entitled to vote in the contest puts the current Labour leader on 62 per cent with Mr Smith trailing on 38 per cent.

Mr Corbyn received just shy of 60 per cent of the vote when he was elected to the job in September 2015.

The new poll is likely to give Mr Corbyn’s campaign a boost as the fight for votes continues.

However, it will do little to assuage the concerns of the 172 Labour MPs who backed a no-confidence motion in Mr Corbyn – a move which ultimately led to Mr Smith’s challenge.

The poll puts Mr Corbyn ahead in all three groups of people who are eligible to take part in the vote.

It found that 52 per cent of full members intend to back Mr Corbyn compared to 40 per cent for Mr Smith.

Registered supporters

Meanwhile, among registered supporters it was 70 per cent to 25 per cent in favour of Mr Corbyn.

Mr Corbyn also has the backing of the union affiliates by 54 per cent to 33 per cent.

An estimated 640,000 members and supporters have been tasked with choosing between the pair.

Voting in the contest is already under way with a winner to be announced on September 24th.