A DUDLEY Labour MP has faced an online backlash after "daring" to tell his party's local followers that he will not be voting for left winger and leadership bid forerunner Jeremy Corbyn.

Ian Austin believes some of Corbyn's supporters could move to try to "purge" moderate MPs like him from the party if the controversial figure - the front runner in the Labour leadership election - wins.

The Dudley North MP has written to Labour party supporters saying he nominated Yvette Cooper to take over from Ed Miliband and would also vote for Liz Kendall and Andy Burnham.

He points out that all three of them came to Dudley to boost Labour's recent general election campaign.

But his letter spells out that he will not be voting for Jeremy Corbyn, adding: "This isn't about him personally.

"He holds sincere views and has attracted large audiences, but I can't see how he will persuade people who turned away from us in seats like Dudley South, Halesowen, Stourbridge or Telford on which the outcome of the next election depends.

"We must persuade people that Labour has a credible plan for the economy and can be trusted to spend public funds wisely.

"This is your vote and your choice, but I thought I should let you know what I think and why."

Mr Austin says he sent out his letter in response to requests to know where he stands on the leadership election.

But it sparked a comment on Twitter from Liverpool-based Sarah Henney asking if he was "trying to influence" Labour leadership voters and adding: "Is he on #LabourPurge list?"

Mr Austin tweeted in response: "What has the Labour Party become? MP dares to write to local members & one of nice, inclusive Jeremy's supporters says "purge" him @SarahHenney".

Ms Henney - who describes herself on Twitter as "digital marketing starter-upper, anti-austerity mum. Dig sandcastles, Labour and the unexpected rise of the #Corbynista" - answered back saying she was only asking a question.

But Mr Austin said: "I think some of Jeremy Corbyn's supporters are saying that moderate Labour MPs should be purged.

"I am not saying he himself - but I was drawing attention that some of his supporters clearly believe that people with more moderate views shouldn't be tolerated, although I don't think mainstream Labour voters would countenance that for a second."

Mr Austin has also criticised the Labour leadership selection process which has changed to allow non-members to pay £3 to become "registered supporters" to vote on the issue.

 


 

More than 120,000 people have registered, along with 189,000 members of unions and other affiliated groups - but Mr Austin says it is impossible for Labour's head office or local volunteers to check them all out to make sure they are genuine supporters.

And he fears "tens of thousands" of votes could be cast by opponents of the party.

Dudley Council's Labour leader, Cllr Pete Lowe, seems not to agree with the MP's view and has also taken to twitter apparantly to take a swipe at Mr Austin.