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Jeremy Corbyn has strengthened his hold on power in the Labour Party after Momentum-backed candidates joined a crucial panel.

Seema Chandwani and Billy Hayes won a landslide vote by Labour members to join the Conference Arrangements Committee - a body that's as important as it is obscure.

The seven-member CAC has the job of selecting how motions reach the floor of the party's annual conference.

Decisions on that agenda and timetable could hugely influence debates within the party and how it is covered in the media.

This year alone motions include backing permanent EU single market membership and lowering the threshold for fringe candidates to stand for Labour leader.

(Image: PA Archive/Press Association Images)

(Image: FilmMagic)

The Momentum-backed pair take office in October, shortly after this year's conference in Brighton ends, so their influence will only begin in earnest in 2018.

The two candidates ousted previous reps Gloria de Piero and Michael Cashman, described as moderates, after a vote by more people than the entire membership of the Conservative Party.

Ms Chandwani, who describes herself as a "Corbyn supporter since 1978", won 109,763 votes and former Communication Workers' Union general secretary Mr Hayes won 92,205 votes.

Ms De Piero won 55,417 votes and Mr Cashman won 50,439.

Momentum, the group set up in 2015 to keep Jeremy Corbyn 's hold on the leadership, sent its extensive mailing list reminders by e-mail and text to vote for its chosen candidates.

One slick video circulated by the group said: "If you want to see a more democratic Labour Party you've only got one week left to vote."

Ms De Piero and Mr Cashman also threw their weight behind Mr Corbyn, promising after the 2017 election to "work together to get Jeremy into Downing Street."

Ms Chandwani tweeted today: "OMG!! A girl from a council estate from Tottenham, just topped the CAC Ballot... I'm so humbled. Thank you all so much."

Ms De Piero replied: "Congratulations to you and Billy. You will be working with a great bunch of Trade Union colleagues. Good luck."

The other five CAC members are elected on a vote at the conference itself after nominations by local parties and serve for two years.

The committee is dominated by union officials, and other members last year included GMB Scotland chief Harry Donaldson, Unite rep Jayne Taylor, UNISON's Liane Venner, and Usdaw's Fiona Wilson.