School of Politics and International Relations

Professor Tim Bale, Jeremy Corbyn's team targets Labour membership of 1 million

27 September 2016

Jeremy Corbyn’s team is aiming to build on the surge in Labour membership, setting an ambitious target of 1 million. On paper Labour, with 515,000 members versus the Conservatives’ estimated 120,000-150,000, would seem in a strong position in terms of volunteers. But Professor Tim Bale said the Conservatives were well-off financially and could afford to pay people to deliver leaflets and for other campaigning. “The number of members does not mean Labour will have an advantage,” Bale said, adding that too many of the new members were from the south of England and more needed to be in marginals that Labour needed to win.
More »