WYRE Forest Labour members are backing Jeremy Corbyn for the party’s leadership.

Constituency members joined a packed Kidderminster Town Hall meeting on Tuesday, August 9, at 7.30pm, to vote on their preferred candidate for Labour leadership.

Members heard speeches in favour of both candidates before voting in a secret ballot.

A total of 60 votes and one abstention saw support for Corbyn win by a majority of 57 per cent to 40 per cent, with the current leader taking 35 votes and Owen Smith MP winning 25.

Wyre Forest Labour group leader, Councillor Nigel Knowles, said of the result: "I’m pleased that the party acted to support Jeremy Corbyn.

"I’m pleased about the result, which was contended in a fair manner.

"The two candidates were both well supported from the people that were in attendance.

"It is good to have a debate about politics on a national level but the main thing for our local party is to carry on with a unified approach to local politics."

Investment in housing, transport, jobs, education, public services and the NHS were among shared priorities from both sides of the debate, with Corbyn deemed best placed to deliver.

Labour Press Officer, Stephen Brown, said: "Although members entered the room with differing views on the merits of each candidate, members demonstrated solidarity.

"They agreed that whoever wins, we will pull behind the elected leader to ensure Labour gets its message across as the only credible alternative to a Tory Government."

The result will be confirmed to the national party ahead of the vote closing date of September 21, with the winner declared on September 24.

Wyre Forest Labour has also seen a dramatic rise in membership, reflecting the national trend, with nearly 200 new members joining in recent months, including 35 last week.

Mr Brown said: "This indicates a rise in support for the party from ordinary people and the growing strength of it as a social movement for the progressive change the country needs."