LOCAL MPs are urging the Labour Party to come together to oppose the Conservatives following the re-election of Jeremy Corbyn in the weekend's Labour leadership contest.

Mr Corbyn won the right to remain Labour's leader by picking up 61.8 per cent of the votes cast to beat rival MP Owen Smith.

Mr Smith had been supported in his bid to take over the Labour leadership by St Helens North MP Conor McGinn.

A spokesman for Mr McGinn said that stories circulating earlier in the week that the MP had been 'distraught at the re-election of Mr Corbyn' were misconstrued.

He said: "Mr McGinn was quoted as having said that he was distraught about Mr Corbyn's re-election when, in actual fact, he had said he was 'distraught at the state of the Labour party in terms of what the party has been going through over recent months."

In a statement, Mr McGinn added: "Jeremy has won and I congratulate him on that.

"The leadership contest and result show a Labour Party membership and wider movement that is divided.

"I am encouraged by Jeremy's words today about bringing the party back together, and look forward to him demonstrating that in the weeks and months ahead."

MP for St Helens South & Whiston, Marie Rimmer, said: "Now that the election is over, there is a duty on all of us in our party to come together, oppose the Tories and get a Labour government elected.

"The people of St Helens need a Labour government. I'll be working with everyone in our party to ensure we get the government our country needs."