Shropshire Star readers back Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader

Almost half of those who took part in our poll said Mr Corbyn was the man to lead the party forward in the wake of Brexit.

He polled nearly double the votes of the next closest candidate, Hilary Benn.

But senior figures in the Labour party in Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire – including some who backed his original leadership bid – said it was now time for Corbyn to go.

Who should be the Labour Party leader?

• Jeremy Corbyn 40%

• Hilary Benn 26%

• Andy Burnham 13%

• Chuka Umunna 11%

• Tom Watson 8%

• John McDonnell 2%

Councillor Liz Clare, a Labour cabinet member on Telford & Wrekin Council, said the party needed to call a leadership contest sooner rather than later.

"I think what we have got to do is see if the Labour members are still behind him," she said.

"He has got to test the water for me. If he doesn't, it's going to be an uphill struggle and what we need to do is sort it quickly because there could be a general election later this year, that would not surprise me at all.

"I voted for Jeremy Corbyn but I have to say he did not give strong leadership in the referendum, whether his heart wasn't in it or not I don't know.

"I think we need a new leader. I would like to see a woman personally. Harriet Harman would get my vote, if she put her name forward.

"But if there is a leadership contest, and Jeremy Corbyn still has the support of the members, then we have all got to drill our horns in and get on with it."

Liz Owen, chair of the Ludlow branch of the Labour Party, said she did not think Mr Corbyn had shown the leadership qualities required to win a general election.

She said: "It's hard to keep up with it, things are happening so quickly.

"I am sure there are lots of members in our constituency Labour party who would disagree with me.

"But regrettably, and it is my own personal view, I don't think Jeremy has shown the leadership that would be required to win a General Election.

"I think he was not clear enough about the Labour Party's position and not positive enough during the EU referendum.

"There were lots of local Labour supporters who did a lot of work for the Remain campaign in the constituency, and also campaigned for Stronger In.

"They put in a lot of effort and, they feel, that effort was not supported by Jeremy Corbyn.

"Who should succeed him? That is a good question! Nobody has put forward their names, I don't know, I will have to see who puts their name forward."

Kevin Guy, chairman of the Telford branch of the Labour Party, said members had supported Andy Burnham ahead of Corbyn during the initial leadership battle.

"I would say that sentiment still exists," he said.

"If there was a leadership challenge and it went to members, the majority would not support Jeremy Corbyn.

"I have spoken to a number of local Labour supporters and the consensus was one of disappointment with his leadership during the EU referendum. I think if there was a new leadership election they would be less likely to vote for him this time around.

"It is my job to represent the views of local members of the Telford Labour party, and that view remains that we would be unlikely to support Jeremy Corbyn in any leadership battle."

But the two major Labour leaders on Telford & Wrekin Council and Shropshire Council stayed tight-lipped on the national issue.

New Telford council leader, Councillor Shaun Davies, refused to comment and said it was a matter for the Telford branch of the party. Councillor Alan Mosley, Labour leader on Shropshire Council, was not giving much away either.

He said: "Clearly there are significant spin-offs from the referendum result.

"I trust that after a period of reflection, all members of the Labour party will unite together, whatever their initial immediate position."

On whether Mr Corbyn was the man to lead Labour forward, he added: "I am not going to comment on that. The Shrewsbury Labour Party has its AGM on Wednesday, so I am sure there will be some sort of discussion about this matter there."

But there was one Labour party figure still willing to publicly back Mr Corbyn.

Graeme Currie, who stood for Labour unsuccessfully against Owen Paterson in north Shropshire at the 2015 General Election, said: "My view is at the moment I support Jeremy Corbyn.

"We should be focusing on the issues and the uncertainty of Brexit Britain. Now is not the best time for turmoil within the parliamentary Labour party. Jeremy Corbyn retains my support and I just think this is not a good time to be doing this now, we need to be focusing on the country during this astonishingly bad time. I was devastated at the outcome of the referendum but we now need to put the best interests of the country first."