CHELMSFORD’s Labour Party threw its weight behind Jeremy Corbyn as leader while Momentum campaigners took to the streets in support.

Party members voted 53 in favour of the current Labour leader, 19 votes ahead of challenger Owen Smith, during a Labour constituency meeting on Wednesday (August 10).

Momentum spokesman Andy Abbott said campaigners, who took to the High Street in a leafleting bid on Saturday, are “delighted” with the vote.

He explained: “’We feel it shows the message that we need a Labour government that governs in the interest of all, rather than just the few, is resonating with a lot of people right now.

“This is why the Labour Party is seeing such a huge increase in new members, and it’s hardly surprising. “Last year over a million people in Britain were forced to use a food bank. Millions more are forced to get by on zero hours contracts with a pitifully inadequate minimum wage.”

The campaigners set up a stall outside Lloyds bank and signed up another forty people for the local branch of Momentum.and promoted the Corbyn rally.

They were joined by union leader Manuel Cortes, the general secretary of Transport Salaried Staff Association.

Mr Cortes said: “It was fantastic to join local activists in Chelmsford.

“Jeremy Corbyn has the vision and policies to create a new economy that works for the ninety-nine per cent – not just the wealthiest one per cent.

“I am proud to be standing with ordinary people in the High Street gathering support for a new kind of politics.

“(The) response has been great.”

Momentum continues to seek speakers for its rally at the Civic Theatre on Wednesday (August 24) at 7.30pm.

Mr Abbott added he’s hopeful the Labour leader will address the rally.