Jeremy Corbyn looks set to retain his leadership of the Labour party ahead of next month’s vote, according to the latest poll from YouGov.

The latest figures, polled between August 25 – 29, put Corbyn in the lead with 62 percent against Owen Smith’s 38 percent. YouGov’s figures proved reliable in the last Labour leadership contest last summer, suggesting Corbyn would win with 59 percent of first preference votes.

Currently 70 percent of registered supporters have said they will back Corbyn, who also has the majority support of trade union affiliates. Corbyn’s case is helped by the 57 percent of people saying they believed he is doing a good job, with 32 percent saying that, should Labour split after a Corbyn victory, they would follow him to a new party.

A leadership election contest was called after criticism of Jeremy Corbyn’s lacklustre approach to the EU referendum campaign provoked mass resignations and a vote of no confidence. Several other Labour MPs announced their intention to run against him, with Owen Smith remaining the only one still in the race.

Ballots were mailed out to eligible voters on August 22nd, and the ballot will close on September 21st at 12pm. The result will be announced at the Labour party conference on September 24th.

31/08/2016