YVETTE Cooper has won the backing of Labour members in Basingstoke after they voted her as their top choice to become the next leader of the party.

During a meeting at Carnival Hall, Basingstoke, on July 29, around 50 Labour members voted for a new party leader using the alternative voting system.

MPs in the running to be leader are Leigh MP Andy Burnham, Leicester West MP Liz Kendall, Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn and Yvette Cooper, MP for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford.

Ms Cooper, who is the Shadow Home Secretary, came out on top following the vote.

The leader of the Basingstoke Labour party, Councillor Gary Watts, told The Gazette that Yvette Cooper was his first preference, adding: “I think she recognises that we have got to be more pro-business.

"We gave the wrong vibe up until last election that we are anti-business but that is how growth and the economy happens through more businesses and she recognises that we do need to put more emphasis on that.

“I think she is competent and it is no good looking back. We have to look forward as a party so I think she ticks all of the boxes.”

Cllr Watts added: “It is a very important time for the party. It was a poor election result but the Basingstoke party has seen a massive influx of new members. We have had 100 new members since May and they have been predominantly young people.”

Cllr Paul Harvey, who chaired the meeting, added: “It was a great meeting and it really shows the strength of the local party. It was a well attended meeting and there was a very good debate.

“I think she (Yvette Cooper) would make a superb Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party and it would be tremendous to have the first woman leader of the party.

“What she says about child care and the future of the health service, she is talking about issues that people care about. She is not talking to the Labour Party, she is talking to the country and I like that.”

The Labour leadership vote will begin tomorrow and close on September 10.

The result of the contest will be announced on September 12 at a special Labour Party conference.