Prominent Labour politicians in Suffolk and Essex have given their verdict on the prospect of Jeremy Corbyn winning the party leadership - which he is tipped to do today.

Former Ipswich MP Chris Mole warned yesterday that Mr Corbyn “would have difficulty uniting the party.”

He is backing Yvette Cooper, describing her as a “credible candidate” with an “honest and appropriate approach to the refugee crisis.”

Colchester’s Labour councillor Tim Young is also supporting Ms Cooper, saying Mr Corbyn “is not a suitable candidate to take us into the next election”.

But Sudbury councillor Luke Cresswell disagreed.

He said: “We need to break away from New Labour and Corbyn gives us a chance to do that. As a party we’ve made many mistakes, the biggest in the form of the Iraq War. Apologising for it is the right thing to do.”

The MP for Islington North shocked Labour supporters when he pulled ahead in YouGov polls released in early August with a 32-point lead.

And South Suffolk Labour chair Jane Basham, who ran her General Election campaign “unmistakably on the left,” said Mr Corbyn “represents democracy” and has ushered in an “appetite for change.”

“The movement Corbyn has created is unprecedented. He has captured the imagination of young and old and delivers a powerful anti-austerity message,” she said.

East of England Labour MEP Richard Howitt is backing Yvette Cooper, saying she is the “most priministerial”.

Claiming “any of the four would do a better job than David Cameron,” Mr Howitt said all of the candidates would receive his full support.

Despite the MEP’s reluctance to call the result, he said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Mr Corbyn wins.

Mr Howitt, who spoke to Mr Corbyn on Sunday, said the leadership race favourite was “gracious and confident.”