Scores of Labour MPs are preparing to leave the party if Rebecca Long-Bailey wins the race to become leader, HuffPost UK has been told.

It is claimed as many as 50 will not serve under the shadow business secretary and would instead stage a walkout, according to party insiders.

The split could see some continue as independent MPs but refuse to take the Labour whip while others may quit parliament altogether.

Long-Bailey is often described as the “continuity Corbyn” candidate and has been effectively endorsed by the leader.

Her policy of open MP selections, which would see MPs face a fight to remain the Labour candidate before every election, and rating of Corbyn’s leadership “10 out of 10” despite his handling of the anti-Semitism crisis and the election catastrophe, are said to have hardened the stance of some moderates against her candidacy.

While the bloc has not met formally to discuss a co-ordinated move, HuffPost UK has spoken to numerous sources who say they have an understanding with others.

One MP said she “would definitely go” and a “conservative estimate” of the number of MPs that would follow was between 30 and 50.

Another MP named a specific figure of 35, and added: “The Labour Party would be sticking two fingers up to the public to stay on the same course as set by Corbynism. MPs won’t go through that again and the public won’t stand for it.”