LABOUR must now unite if they are to become a party of government – that is the message from the leader of the party’s group in Swindon, Jim Grant.

His comments come after veteran MP Jeremy Corbyn was re-elected to the leadership, just 12 months on from his first election in one of the most unlikely political developments for many years.

Coun Grant said: “Now that Jeremy has been re-elected as Labour leader, I think it is time for the whole party to unite.

“We need to start to combat the divisive policies of the current government and become a government in waiting.”

The leadership result comes at the end of a lengthy contest that has been characterised by bitterness and sniping on both sides – far from appearing united, Labour appear, to many, to be more divided than ever before

Mr Corbyn saw off the challenge of fellow MP Owen Smith who emerged as the sole challenger following a turbulent few weeks of shadow cabinet resignations and parliamentary discontent after the EU referendum vote.

He took 61.8 per cent of the vote by party members and supporters, up on last year where he won with 59 per cent.

However, despite his popularity among the grassroots membership, Mr Corbyn faces an uphill struggle if he is to reunite the Labour Party in parliament.

Prior to the summer recess he lost a confidence vote among his own MPs by 172 to 40.

But Coun Grant believes that following the leadership contest, ordinary Labour members now need their representatives in parliament to put those differences aside.

“The party’s grassroots, whether they are Jeremy Corbyn or Owen Smith supporters, are desperate for Labour MPs and Jeremy Corbyn to work together,” he said.

“Both sides have a responsibility to compromise and make it work.

“Under Jeremy we have become the largest political party in Western Europe and that is a fantastic thing.

“But we now need to start to listen and gain the trust of the wider public- to make their concerns our concerns and to reflect their views in our policies.

“Only by doing this will we encourage them to come back to Labour so we can form the next government.”