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Union leader Mark Serwotka sparked fury yesterday after calling for Labour activists to be allowed to unseat MPs.

The general secretary of the PCS union’s comments will stoke fears that supporters of Jeremy Corbyn are looking to purge the party of the Labour right.

Mr Serwotka, who rejoined Labour last week after a 25-year absence, said the forthcoming boundary changes offered the chance for activists to select MPs who reflected their views.

He said there should be “no obstacles” put in the way of those wanting to choose a different MP.

“MPs should reflect their local parties. But if they don’t, the local party must be allowed to exercise their democratic right to make a different selection.

"My understanding is that this is within the rules but it hasn’t been adhered to by different leaders, particularly under Blair.

(Image: Demotix)

“Boundary changes will mean that it is inevitable that there will have to be selections of MPs in a large number of constituencies.

“There should be no obstacles put in activists’ way. I think that there is a very important principle here.

"If you call on people to join the party and then say to them that you can never change who represents you, what is the point in joining?” he told the Guardian.

But his comments caused outrage among the Labour mainstream. Labour MP John Woodcock said they were a “slap in the face” to everyone who had fought so hard for a Labour government.

He added: “It’s clearest sign yet that Labour (is) in grip of people around Jeremy Corbyn who are utterly indifferent to beating this Tory government so we can tackle injustice.”

(Image: PA)

Labour whip Conor McGinn also took offence at Mr Serwotka’s remarks.

He said Serwotka had spent 25 years attacking Labour from outside. “He then says this after five days inside. Who does he think he is?”

The boundary changes will see the number of MPs cut from 650 to 600, with Labour predicted to lose as many as 30 of its MPs.

Among those who could see their seats disappear or substantially redrawn include Hilary Benn, Tristram Hunt, Chuka Umunna and Emma Reynolds.

Mr Serwotka, who leads Britain’s fifth biggest union, said he wanted to help Mr Corbyn turn Labour into a genuinely socialist party.

“I think this is a pivotal period. The Tories’ onslaught is relentless. We are seeing services decimated, jobs being cut.

“It is a crucial moment for Jeremy because it is fairly clear that there are those within Labour and the parliamentary party who do not agree with anything he is doing,” he said.