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Emails show Corbynites pushed election resources to support allies

EXCLUSIVE: Despite a huge majority in 2015, resources were targeted at John Trickett, a key Corbyn ally

August 11, 2020 13:37
Official_portrait_of_Jon_Trickett_crop_2.jpg
4 min read

Jeremy Corbyn’s campaign team openly pushed general election resources ahead of the 2017 poll towards MP allies of the former leader, such as Jon Trickett – even though he had secured a commanding majority in his seat just two years earlier.

The JC understands that emails confirm that Mr Trickett – who has defended Mr Corbyn over antisemitism allegations -  was one of those singled out for thousands of pounds of advertising spend with local newspapers in his constituency to boost their campaign ahead of the June 2017 election.

Just two years earlier the MP had secured a commanding 12,000 vote majority in the Yorkshire seat of Hemsworth, which has long been considered one of Labour’s safest.

But Labour sources have confirmed to the JC that emails show how senior figures working for Mr Corbyn’s 2017 election campaign were amongst those pushing party officials at Labour headquarters to spend more on Mr Trickett’s seat in 2017.