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Momentum organising car pools and London phone banks in 'urgent' drive to win Copeland and Stoke by-elections

Momentum organising car pools and London phone banks in 'urgent' drive to win Copeland and Stoke by-elections

Jeremy Corbyn’s supporters are "urgently" transporting campaigners from across Britain to fight two crunch by-elections this week amid fears the party is on the brink of a historic defeat. 

Momentum, the activist group founded from Mr Corbyn’s leadership campaign, is organising car pools to get as many people as possible knocking on doors before voting.

They are also urging supporters to phone voters in Copeland, Cumbria, and Stoke-on-Trent Central from their own homes in a last-minute bid to boost support. 

The move comes as senior Labour figures involved in the elections conceded that Copeland was “probably gone” with just days left before the two votes on Thursday. 

No Government has gained a seat from the official opposition at a by-election for 35 years, meaning that any defeat would trigger a backlash against Mr Corbyn’s leadership. 

Numerous Labour MPs and sources say their leader’s "incompetence" and left-wing views are being criticised on doorsteps.

The party’s uncertain stance on Brexit - Labour backed staying in the EU at the referendum, while voters in both constituencies supported leaving - is also said to be a hindrance. 

In an email sent to supporters on Thursday, Momentum urges activists to contribute in any way possible to ensure that Labour retains both seats. 

“We have one week left to win the crucial by-elections in Stoke and Copeland,” it reads. 

“It is urgent we mobilise to defeat the Tories and Ukip and show that only Labour can provide solutions to the problems faced by communities neglected at the hands of the Tories.”

Supporters are told to check an interactive map detailing cars travelling from across Britain to the two areas to see if they can catch a lift. 

They are also encouraged to “start calling from home or join London Labour’s phone-banks for Stoke and Copeland”. 

Briefing documents containing Labour’s controversial line of attack over the NHS have also been sent out to Momentum supporters in recent weeks. 

Activists campaigning in Copeland are told to warn voters that the Tories are “risking the health of mothers and babies” by closing down a local maternity ward. 

“The Tories are stripping our NHS services and only a vote for a strong Labour voice in Copeland can fight it,” they are told to tell voters. 

Theresa May travelled to Copeland this week in a sign the Conservatives believe they can win the seat, while Ukip’s leader Paul Nuttall is seen as Labour’s biggest rival in Stoke. 

Numerous Labour figures involved in the election campaigns have said the party is on the brink of losing Copeland, a seat they have held for 80 years. 

“Copeland is probably gone. Jeremy’s leadership is repeatedly being criticised,” said one Labour figure who has spent a lot of time in the constituency.

“It’s tight. It’s all about turnout [on the day]. The Tories are throwing the kitchen sink at it. We’re fighting it really hard.” 

A moderate Labour MP said: “Volunteers and staff are working harder than is imaginable. Corbyn is a terrible problem and victory will be despite him and 100 per cent due to local campaigns and government failures in public services.” 

The Tories have sent more than 100 MPs to both Copeland and Stoke as the party scents the chance of a historic victory with Labour slumping in the polls. 

This weekend, half a dozen ministers are on the doorsteps of Copeland, while cabinet ministers including Liz Truss and Greg Clark have been campaigning in recent days. 

Copeland by-election | Candidates

Mr Corbyn yesterday claimed that "people are dying” because of the Government’s austerity policies and urged voters to “send a message” to Mrs May in the by-elections. 

"We have a state of emergency in our social care system and the worst crisis in the history of our NHS," he said.

Mr Corbyn also brushed off the resignation of key aide Simon Fletcher from Labour headquarters this week, saying it was “nonsense” he had concerns about the party’s direction. 

There have been concerns in the party that Tony Blair’s Brexit intervention on Friday, when he urged voters to “rise up” to keep the UK in the EU, will backfire. 

Shadow ministers warned that the timing of the pro-EU speech just days before the crucial by-elections in Brexit-backing constituencies was unhelpful. 

Stoke-on-Trent by-election | Candidates