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Labour lost almost 46,000 members last year official figures show as they quit over Brexit , anti-Semitism and Jeremy Corbyn .

The party continued to have by far the largest membership of the British political parties, reporting 518,659 individual members on December 31 - a decrease from 564,443 in 2017.

But separately Labour Party sources confirmed to the Mirror that the membership had dropped below 500,000 from a peak of 564,000 in 2017.

MPs admit privately they are concerned about the amount of money the party has spent hiring community organisers with limited success.

The amount the party spent on staff rose from just under £17m in 2016 to £23.9 in 2018 as it ramped up preparations for another general election.

The treasurers' report from Jennie Formby and Diana Holland explains the £3m increase in spending by a rise in staff and activities to support campaigning which they described as "investment now for future elections".

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The report noted there was an increase in membership income - almost £800,000 to £16.9 million - in 2018 while the fall in member numbers was "in line with previous experience".

Many members have publicly said they are leaving because of Mr Corbyn's leadership and his handling of the anti-Semitism crisis.

Some Remain-supporting members have even joined the Lib Dems instead.

Party insiders told the Mirror how a significant number of members left over Brexit following the European elections.

Labour also raised the most income and spent the most funds in 2018, according to the financial accounts of political parties.

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “Labour is proud to be one of the largest political parties in Europe, with an active and diverse membership who are working to transform our society for the many not the few.

“Our finances are in good health and we remain on an election footing, ready to fight the election whenever it may be called.”

The Electoral Commission published details from 11 parties in Great Britain, with Labour's income amounting to £45.6 million and expenditure £46.3 million.

The Conservatives were second with income of £34.2 million and expenditure of £36.3 million while the Liberal Democrats received £6.2 million and spent £6.5 million.

The SNP reported income of £4.7 million and expenditure of £3.6 million, and the Green Party income of £1.9 million and expenditure of £2.2 million.

Income and expenditure for most of the major parties decreased in 2018 compared to 2017, which featured a snap general election.

Labour's income was £55.7 million and expenditure £54.3 million in 2017 while the Tories raised £45.9 million and spent £44.8 million in the same 12-month period.

For the Conservatives under Theresa May's leadership, the treasurers' review from Sir Mick Davis and Alan Mabbutt said the party's income in 2018 was the "highest level ... achieved in the last 40 years, outside a general election or European election year".

Membership income also increased from £835,000 to £1.47 million, the pair added, although membership numbers were not provided for the period.