POLITICIANS have called on fellow Labour members to come together as a party in the wake of Jeremy Corbyn's overwhelming victory over leadership challenger Owen Smith.

Accepting victory before cheering supporters in Liverpool on Saturday, Jeremy Corbyn said he wanted to "wipe the slate clean" and called on Labour MPs to "work together and respect the democratic choice that's been made".

Blaenau Gwent MP Nick Smith, Torfaen MP Nick Thomas-Symonds and Caerphilly MP Wayne David were among the MPs who left Mr Corbyn's shadow cabinet in June, with a 172-40 vote of no confidence levelled against his leadership.

MP Wayne David, who left his post on June 27, said on Twitter: "Congratulations to Jeremy Corbyn on his clear win. All of the Party must now 'pull together' to make Labour a party ready for government."

Torfaen's MP Nick Thomas-Symonds, who also resigned on the same day, said in a statement on his website: "Congratulations to Jeremy Corbyn on his election as Leader of the Labour Party.

"While I am proud to have supported Owen Smith, I respect the result and I will do my best to make it work."

Newport West MP Paul Flynn, who had slammed the walkouts as "organised treachery" at the time also took to Twitter to give his view on the win.

He said: "The anti-Corbynistas have tried everything, no doubt from honourable motives, without success. Now time to give unity a chance."

Owen Smith has said that he respected the result and urged Labour moderates not to split the party in response.

He has previously said he will not serve in a Corbyn shadow cabinet which is likely to be reshuffled soon.

It is believed that the leader will attempt to bring back on board some of the MPs who walked out of his front bench in June.

Mr Corbyn said both he and his challenger were part of the "same Labour family" as he appealed for unity after receiving 313,209 of the votes cast, compared with 193,229 for Mr Smith.

A breakdown of the figures showed the Islington North MP defeated his challenger in all three sections of the 500,000-strong electorate - full members, supporters from affiliated organisations like the unions, and registered supporters who paid a £25 fee to vote.

He acknowledged he had a responsibility as leader to unite the party, but added: "It is also the responsibility of the whole party - Members of Parliament, councillors, party members and our wonderful supporters across the country - to work together and respect the democratic choice that's been made."

Quoting the maiden speech of former Labour MP Jo Cox, who was shot and stabbed to death earlier this year, Mr Corbyn said: "Always remember in our party, we have much more in common than that which divides us."

Mr Smith, who quit as shadow work and pensions secretary to fight for the leadership, said he would "reflect carefully" on what role he could play in Labour's future.

But he ruled out leaving for a rival centre-left party, saying: "I have no time for talk of a split in the Labour movement - it's Labour or nothing for me.

"And although today's result shows that our movement remains divided, it now falls primarily to Jeremy Corbyn, as Labour Leader, to heal those divisions and to unite our movement.

"We have to turn round our dire opinion poll ratings and take on this right-wing, failing Tory Government."