That number would still make Labour by far the biggest political party in Britain – approximately four times the size of the Conservatives, whose membership was estimated at 124,000 last spring. Party insiders insist the overwhelming majority of the 6,000-a-month membership decline is accounted for by “lapsers”: members whose payments have been in arrears for six months. These show up 18 months after they first signed up for a year-long membership. Setting lapsers aside, more members have joined Labour than resigned during recent weeks. Concerns about Labour’s record in tackling antisemitism are also cited by some MPs as a reason for disillusionment among grassroots members.

Source: The Guardian February 05, 2019 20:26 UTC