Labour membership soars as party prepares to take on failing Tories in a general election

Speed of government collapse prompts a scramble to solve logistical problems and select candidates

Labour has gained 20,000 new members since the end of the party conference season as it gears up for a general election following the Tory party's implosion and Liz Truss's disastrous premiership.

On Thursday alone - the day of Truss's resignation after just 45 days in Downing Street - Labour gained 2,000 more members, with lapsed members rejoining and others signing up for the first time. One fundraising email on the same day generated almost 100,000 in donations.