The leftwinger who has touted a link-up with ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, comfortably won a race to take over from Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay.

Polanski ruffled feathers during at-times grumpy contest and now has to bring the party with him

It comes as the party seeks to pitch itself as a serious progressive alternative to Labour, having increased its Commons representation to four MPs last year