Labour leadership: Deadline for voter registration looms, as new poll puts Starmer ahead of Long-Bailey

New Labour members wanting to vote in the leadership election have until Monday afternoon to join the party.

Applications need to be submitted by 5pm in order to take part in the contest.

Five contenders are vying to succeed Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the opposition by April.

Sir Keir Starmer has cemented his early lead in the race, putting clear water between himself and his nearest rival Rebecca Long-Bailey.

A new YouGov poll said 63 per cent of Labour members would back the shadow Brexit secretary in the final round, ahead of Ms Long-Bailey on 37 per cent, once other candidates have been eliminated.

Ms Long-Bailey, the shadow business secretary, has attempted to position herself as the main left wing option, with many labelling her as a “continuity candidate” to Mr Corbyn.

Backbenchers Jess Phillips and Lisa Nandy are also in the running, along with shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry.

Labour runs the contest under a One Person One Vote (OPOV) system, meaning every vote matters.

The new leader and deputy leader will be announced on 4 April.

What happens next?

All those eligible to vote will receive an online ballot by email and those without a verified email address in Labour’s system will receive a ballot by post – consisting of candidates’ statements and lists of any nominations.

After the second round of the contest – nominations from Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs) – has concluded, the ballot for electing the next leader will then open on 21 February.

The last date for postal ballot and email ballot reissues will be on 27 and 30 March respectively, before it closes on 2 April.

A special conference unveiling Mr Corbyn’s successor as Labour leader will then be held on Saturday 4 April.