184,000 register to vote in Labour leadership election in 48 hours
Who will the newcomers vote for as Owen Smith goes up against Jeremy Corbyn?
A WHOPPING 180,000 people have registered to vote in the upcoming Labour leadership election in the last 48 hours, it was revealed tonight.
Labour moderates and lefties have been engaged in a mad scramble to sign up supporters as Owen Smith goes up against Jeremy Corbyn in this summer's contest - at a cost of £25.
Moderates fear the surge will back Mr Corbyn in the same way as 88,000 supporters paid £3 each to vote in last year’s election.
The price was hiked in a bid to limit numbers - but the move appears to have failed.
If they all make it through a vetting process, Labour will benefit from a £4.6 million windfall.
There are around 388,000 Party members and trade union affiliates who will also vote in the leadership election - taking the total to 571,000 people who will be able to cast a vote in the contest.
The two candidates will now spend the summer on the campaign trail trying to win over Party members.
The leadership election ballot will take place from August 22 and last for a month. A result will be announced at a special conference on September 24.