LABOUR Party members in Winchester have nominated Keir Starmer to be the leader of the party.

At a special meeting he was the overwhelming choice of local members. The new leader will be announced on April 4.

Mr Starmer is the former director of public prosecutions and head of the Crown Prosecution Service as well as a Queen’s Counsel. His rivals for the post are Lisa Nandy and Rebecca Long-Bailey.

A group of local members then met Mr Starmer in Southampton on Saturday February 29 at a rally in St Denys Church.

Former Labour city councillor Patrick Davies said: “It was great to meet Keir who is an inspiring choice to be our new leader and we believe Prime Minister at the next election.

“His life has been devoted to fighting injustice and he will continue to fight for justice in all its forms: social justice, climate justice and economic justice.”

Mr Davies added: “We believe he can unite our party and the country.”