THE town’s Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition councillor has taken hope from MP Jeremy Corbyn’s popularity surge in the Labour leadership race.

Cllr Kevin Bennett (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition – Fairfield and Howley) believes the support Mr Corbyn is gathering ‘shows the popularity of socialist ideas’.

Mr Corbyn is now being tipped by many, including numerous bookmakers, to become the next party leader.

Cllr Bennett, who resigned from the Labour party in January, remains determined to tackle austerity concerns for residents but has revealed his fears surrounding the election for the next Labour leader.

He said: “In the face of endless austerity we urgently need a party that is prepared to oppose it.

“If Mr Corbyn is defeated in the election we would urge him and his supporters to escape from the prison of a Labour party led by a pro-austerity leader and to begin to build a party, with a clear anti-cuts, socialist programme.

“However, if Mr Corbyn wins, he will face open revolt from the right-wing that dominates the parliamentary Labour party and the Labour machine.

“Of the 232 members of the parliamentary Labour party only nine are members of the Socialist Campaign Group to which Jeremy Corbyn belongs.

“Already Labour MPs are threatening to trigger another contest immediately in order to get Mr Corbyn out by Christmas.

“In this situation Mr Corbyn would need to mobilise the maximum possible support from across the workers' movement.

“We would encourage him to organise a conference of all those who have voted for him, plus the many trade unions - including non-affiliated unions like the RMT, PCS and FBU - which support his programme.

“I believe that TUSC would be happy to participate in such a conference and would encourage other supporters to do the same.”