Voters 'More Likely' To Choose Corbyn-Led Labour

Voters would be more likely to back Labour in a general election under Jeremy Corbyn than any of his rivals, a survey suggests.

The findings cast doubt on claims he would bring Labour "annihilation" at the polls.

Mr Corbyn - the hot favourite to win the leadership contest - has been heavily criticised by senior Labour figures, including former PM Tony Blair.

But 32% of people in the Survation study said they would be more likely to vote Labour at an election if he heads up the party.

Andy Burnham was second with 25%, with Liz Kendall on 22% and Yvette Cooper 20%.

Forty-five percent said Mr Corbyn becoming leader would make no difference either way. Nineteen percent said it would make them less likely to vote Labour.

More good news for Mr Corbyn saw 40% of people describing him as "trustworthy" - the quality the 1000-person survey said was most important.

Ms Kendall came second on 35%, with Mr Burnham and Ms Cooper both on 32%.

The survey also appears to counter concerns that Mr Corbyn lacks the "killer instinct" to battle the Conservative government.

Leadership rival Ms Cooper told Sky News he would not be "strong enough to take on the Tories" - but most people surveyed said he would be the best to hold the government to account.

Mr Corbyn got 31% to Mr Burnham's 27%. Ms Cooper and Ms Kendall trailed on 14% and 10%.

The respondents - a nationally representative sample with varying political allegiances - based their views on a one-minute clip of each person being interviewed by Andrew Marr.

However, there does appear to be some doubt over Mr Corbyn's prospects.

Mr Burnham edged him out on who would make the best prime minister (25% to 24%).

He was also tied on 26% with Mr Burnham on the question of who would be most likely to deliver election victory for Labour.

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Mr Corbyn has officially unveiled his 10-point plan for the country at an event in Glasgow.

It includes policies such as a "fully-funded NHS" with an end to privatisation, and a national investment bank to create jobs and "reduce the deficit fairly".

Mr Corbyn has also said he would give party supporters and affiliates more power, including full voting rights on policy and the party's structure.

Critics claim the move is a ploy to head off anticipated resistance from Labour MPs.

The 66-year-old has become the surprise frontrunner but has been on the end of a barrage of criticism predicting disaster if he becomes leader.

Tony Blair wrote in the Guardian: "If Jeremy Corbyn becomes leader it won't be a defeat like 1983 or 2015 at the next election. It will mean rout, possibly annihilation."

In an interview with Sky News, Ms Cooper said she was not convinced Mr Corbyn wanted to be Prime Minister.

"I actually asked him that question at a Labour hustings, whether he really wanted to be Prime Minister, and it actually took Jeremy a long time to reply... I'm not convinced (that he wants to) but he has to answer that question," she said.

Sky sources have said Ms Cooper's own campaign is expected to get a significant boost from the backing of former PM Gordon Brown.

She has also been backed by the Guardian in recent days, while the Daily Mirror came out for Mr Burnham.

There was a surge in people joining the party when registration closed on Wednesday - people have until 10 September to cast their vote with the winner announced two days later.