Corbyn allies rail against Remainer southern members as battle for soul of Labour intensifies

Labour must be 'rebalanced' if it hopes to rebuild its fortunes, say Jon Trickett and Ian Lavery

Senior allies of Jeremy Corbyn have warned Labour is too dominated by Remain-backing, southern members as the battle for soul of the party intensifies.

Party chairman Ian Lavery and Jon Trickett, the shadow cabinet office minister, issued a rallying cry to working class northern voters to join Labour, ahead of the registration deadline for non-members to vote in the leadership contest on Thursday.

In a veiled dig at London-based candidates such as Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, and Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, the duo said Labour must be "rebalanced" if it hopes to rebuild its fortunes after its disastrous election defeat.

It comes as Corbyn ally Rebecca Long-Bailey came out ahead of her main rival, Sir Keir, in a new poll by LabourList, in a sign the Labour leadership race could be narrowing.

In a joint article in the Daily Mirror, Mr Lavery and Mr Trickett said: "Over the past few years Labour has become Western Europe’s largest political party and this is a welcome achievement.

"However our membership is now disproportionately one that voted to Remain in the referendum and drawn from the South, mainly from metropolitan areas and from the middle classes.

"Our decision and policy-making is increasingly informed by the opinions and experiences of those groups.

"To win again the coalition of working and middle class people within our own party must be rebalanced.

"That is why we are calling for Labour supporters from working class backgrounds and from the North to join the party by January 20 and have their say in the upcoming leadership election."

Ian Lavery, Labour's party chairman (Alamy)

Mr Lavery was understood to be considering a run at the leadership, before deciding to support Ms Long-Bailey in the contest. Mr Trickett also nominated the shadow business secretary for the top job.

The Survation poll for LabourList found that Ms Long-Bailey would win 42 per cent of first preferences while Sir Keir would receive 37 per cent.

Prominent backbencher Jess Phillips lags behind on 9 per cent, Wigan MP Lisa Nandy on 7 per cent and Emily Thornberry on just 1 per cent.

Sir Keir receives the majority of second preferences but the voters are not enough to wipe out Ms Long-Bailey’s first round lead, at 51 per cent to 49 per cent.

Ms Long-Bailey, the shadow business secretary who is regarded as the favoured candidate of the party's left-wing, has kept a low profile so far but she is expected to launch her campaign on Friday.

Candidates for leader and deputy roles face a fraught battle to win the support of trade unions, affiliated groups and constituency Labour parties to get onto the ballot paper for members.

All of the contenders must get the support of 5 per cent of local parties or three affiliates, including two unions, by February 14.

Sir Keir has pulled ahead by winning the backing of Unison, the UK's largest trade union, and SERA, Labour's green group, leaving him to secure only one more union to pass through to the next stage.

Ms Nandy won the backing of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) on Tuesday, in a highly symbolic victory for her campaign. She is thought to be the favoured candidate of the GMB union, one of Labour's largest affiliates.

Ms Long-Bailey is expected to win the backing of Unite, Labour's largest financial backer. However Len McCluskey, the powerful Unite boss, has said no decision has been taken.

The new Labour leader will be announced on April 4.