Labour Leadership Poll Puts Jeremy Corbyn Ahead Of Owen Smith

Good news for the Corbynistas.
Reuters Photographer / Reuters

Jeremy Corbyn’s leadersip bid has received a significant boost from a poll suggesting he has a 24 point lead over rival Owen Smith.

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

Corbyn received just shy of 60% of the vote when he was elected to the job in September 2015, reports the Press Association.

Corbyn will win, then this stupid nonsense will finally be over. Labour coup should accept the outcome or leave the party @CllrFitzpatrick

— Scott Nelson (@SocialistVoice) August 31, 2016

The new poll is likely to give Corbyn’s campaign an injection of vigour as the fight for votes continues although he still faces challenges among the wider UK population.

A survey conducted earlier this month found he is as unpopular as Nigel Farage amongst the general public, giving both men a -28 net rating.

Only 33% of Labour members say Jeremy Corbyn is likely to lead them to victory at the next election. But just 12% say the same of Owen Smith

— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) August 31, 2016

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

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

The poll found that 52% of full members intend to back Corbyn compared to 40% for Smith.

The new members don't knock doors & only talk to each other. That's why they think a Corbyn led Labour can win a GE https://t.co/VyFUpwgXhZ

— Mike Thornton (@Mike4Eastleigh) August 31, 2016

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

Corbyn also has the backing of the union affiliates by 54% to 33%.

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 24.

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