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Jeremy Corbyn has scrapped his visit to Oldham amid growing anger at his stance over bombing Syria

The Labour leader was due to make a trip to the Greater Manchester town six days before a crunch by-election triggered by the death of long-serving MP Michael Meacher.

Corbyn has written to all Labour MPs saying he cannot support military action against ISIS in Syria.

But he found himself increasingly isolated after his Shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn said there was a “compelling case” for air strikes.

Labour is tipped to retain its Oldham West seat despite a strong challenge from UKIP.

READ MORE: Diane Abbott tells shadow cabinet to join Jeremy Corbyn against bombing Syria in Labour turmoil

But senior party figures are braced for their 14,000 majority to be slashed amid growing concern over Mr Corbyn’s leadership.

He is set to receive a much-needed boost tomorrow with the Fire Brigades Union ready to restore its links with Labour.

The expected move comes as his premiership comes under intense scrutiny in the run-up to Thursday’s Oldham West and Royton by-election.

Labour candidate Jim McMahon, the local council leader, is 1/4 with bookies to claim victory.

Mr Corbyn said: “Jim is a brilliant local candidate and the work he has done in Oldham as leader of the council is recognised by everyone there.

“Jim is the best person to represent Oldham West in Parliament and he would make a great MP. “

But one MP told the Mirror: “We should win but the majority will be nothing like it was for Meacher. A lot of that is down to Jeremy.”