Will the trashing of Jeremy Corbyn by his own health spokesman ruin Liz’s hopes of victory?

Veteran Southport journalist Martin Hovden writes: Shadow health secretary Jon Ashworth was today desperately trying to damp down the embarrassment he has caused to Labour’s general election campaign.

He was secretly recorded on the phone telling a friend that Labour was on course for defeat on Thursday.

On Labour’s election chances, Mr Ashworth is heard saying: “I’ve been going round these national places, it’s dire for Labour… it’s dire.”

He added: “I’m helping colleagues, banging on about the NHS for them but it’s awful for them, and it’s the combination of Corbyn and Brexit… outside of the city seats…it’s abysmal out there…they can’t stand Corbyn and they think Labour’s blocked Brexit.”

Mr Ashworth claimed his comments were just banter and he was joshing with his friend.

The incident could have electoral consequences for Labour candidate Liz Savage in Southport. Her successful campaign so far could come crashing down if Liberal Democrat supporters in the town change their mind about voting tactically for her to avoid a Tory victory.

Many people just don’t like Jeremy Corbyn, fearing he will ruin the country with his far-left policies. And Mr Ashworth’s comments about Mr Corbyn are in tune with the views of some Labour and non-Labour people all over the country.

In his appearance on today’s BBC 2 Politics Live show, Mr Ashworth apologised to the Labour Party for his comments about the party being on course to lose – comments he claimed were part of an attempt to “psych out” the Tories.

He added: “Obviously with the benefit of hindsight I’ve been too clever by half and I look like an idiot as a result of doing it. But I thought I was having a private conversation with someone who I’ve always had conversations with over the years.

“It’s obviously stupid. But the reason it has come out today is because the Tories don’t want to be talking about the fact that we’ve had a toddler lying on the floor in a hospital.”

Asked if he thought Labour would win on Thursday, he replied: “Yes.” The presenter, Jo Coburn, asked: “And you believe that?” Ashworth replied: “Yes.”

These were the 2017 results in Southport:

CONSERVATIVE 18,541 (38.66%)

LABOUR 15,627 (32.59%)

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT 12,661 (26.40%)

UKIP 1,127 (2.35%)

Whatever your view, don’t waste your vote this Thursday, December 12.