THE Labour Party’s Newport East branch has backed left-winger Jeremy Corbyn for the leadership.

Constituency members also backed Tom Watson for deputy leader.

Mr Corbyn is running against Liz Kendall, seen as the most Blairite candidate, Yvette Cooper and Andy Burnham.

Mr Corbyn says he wants “an economy which works for all, rejects austerity and places wealth and opportunity in the hands of the millions and not simply the millionaires”.

The branch announced the news on Twitter.

Newport East MP Jessica Morden is backing Ms Kendall. The Argus was unable to contact Ms Morden for comment yesterday.

Meanwhile, Newport West MP Paul Flynn, who also supports Ms Kendall, said he didn’t think the Newport West branch would be publicly backing anyone.

“Whoever is elected I will give my 100 per cent loyalty to," he said.

"I think it’s futile for people to try to advance their own campaign by denigrating other candidates. Jeremy Corbyn has a strong appeal among party members and I’m very much in favour of the party being led by people with grey beards!

"Beards have been good for the Labour Party – Keir Hardie had a good beard.”

Labour city councillor Chris Evans said he didn’t think the decision to back Mr Corbyn was wise. He said: “I obviously respect other Party members’ views, and hope they would respect mine.

“I believe, having listened to neighbours/voters, that the party needs to be ‘moving forward’.

"It would be wrong to revert to old comfort zones and outdated orthodox doctrine. The world is charging so quickly around us and the truth is Jeremy’s ‘anti austerity’ message is very simplistic and won’t even be relevant in 2020.

“We need to reach out to all voters and present our core, decent values in a way that’s relevant to the 21st century.

"We need a leader who understands individualism and aspiration and can harness it to the collective good.

"Labour achieved great things when last in government from the radical centre.”

The result will be announced on September 12.