The Labour party has seen a massive increase in membership both before and after the leadership election. But what does it actually mean? In the weeks leading up to the leadership landslide election for the new party leader Jeremy Corbyn, the membership ‘supporter’ count rose by 100,000. These were the people who paid £3 to vote for a new leader. Newly elected deputy leader Tom Watson said that he hoped many of the supporters would upgrade to full membership.
In the past 24 hours, since the leadership election results, more that 15,000 people have joined the labour party. It’s not clear how many of these are ‘upgrades’. The new left-wing labour faithful are already trying to mobilise the new members and get them involved. “Lets get these new members involved in campaigning, helping relay our roots in communities, being involved in a digital revolution in the party that allows members to feel that they are more included in decision making” said Watson on BBC1s Andrew Marr Show.
Jeremy Corbyn has already started work on appointing a Shadow Cabinet. His leadership rival, Andy Burnham has been appointed shadow Home secretary. Even though Corbyn gained over 50% of the vote he is facing a massive uphill task. The Labour party as a whole is overwhelmingly opposed to his leadership. One can only wonder how a system was put in place to allow people to join the Labour party and vote for a leader at such short notice. However, Corbyn is in place for the time being. The Conservative party seem to be holding back from any real reaction at all, rather, they are playing down the victory as bing rather ‘sad’. No doubt they will wait for the inevitable media onslaught before taking a position.
