Jeremy Corbyn gets my full backing, says Formby's MP Bill Esterson

MP who represents Formby says: "The numbers of people who signed up as registered supporters and full members of Labour since May alone shows a desire for an alternative to this Tory government"

Bill Esterson (left) and Jeremy Corbyn (right)

Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson said he and the Labour Party should unite around new leader Jeremy Corbyn to fight against the threat posed by the current government to the people of this country.

Mr Corbyn was elected to be the new party leader, with 59.5% of people who are eligible to vote backing him to replace Ed Miliband.

While Bill Esterson backed leadership rival, Aintree-born Andy Burnham, for the top job, he said the party will now refocus its opposition on the the real enemy - the Conservatives.

Bill said: "Jeremy Corbyn's victory was unprecedented. The result and the level of support he commanded throughout the leadership campaign shows that people support the Labour Party in the fight against the right wing Tory attacks on working people. Those attacks are leading to a fall in pay as the economy in undermined by the wrong economic policies by this government.

"Jeremy has a popular mandate and we should respect that. He has the backing of the members and he has my backing as leader of my party.

"The new leader has made clear that we need to take the fight to the Tories who are attacking workers' rights, attacking working people, pensioners and the most vulnerable and blatantly and cynically hitting the poorest while rewarding the richest.

"The Tories are devastating this country with cuts. They are savaging our public services, including our emergency services, police, ambulance and fire, which is dangerously leaving the country exposed to terrorist strikes and how we would deal with the aftermath of any attack. They are the real and present threat to our national security. They are the real and present threat to the security of working people, pensioners and the disabled."

Bill said he was encouraged by the number of people who signed up to become members and registered supporters and by the huge swathes of people who are joining Labour since the leadership announcement on Saturday.

Bill said: "The numbers of people who signed up as registered supporters and full members of Labour since May alone shows a desire for an alternative to this Tory government.

"There were more than 550,000 people eligible to vote in this leadership election. Huge numbers of people who want to make a difference and I hope that many of them will join me knocking on doors taking our case to the people of Formby, Crosby, Maghull and Aintree.

"There is a popular myth that people aren't interested in politics or that young people aren't interested. This leadership election has shown that to be totally untrue.

"In the 24 hours after the leadership announcement, there were 15,500 people who signed up to join.

"All of those people have joined and become active in the Labour movement because they are interested in creating a fairer Britain. In the coming months and years I hope to be working with each and every member and registered supporter in Sefton Central to combat the inequality in Britain and to get Cameron, Osborne and the Conservatives out of Downing Street so we can get Labour in and create a Britain that works for everyone.

"I will continue to give the Labour Party my 100% commitment."

Story and Photo source: Southport Visiter