updated membership tally.

The figures we have been shown match reports in Scotland's Herald on Sunday, which said Scottish membership had dropped by a fifth to just over 21,000.

(Image: DAILY RECORD)

Glasgow North East MP Paul Sweeney blamed that drop on a "natural cycle because last year we had a leadership election."

He told the BBC: "As many people who are familiar with party political dynamics will know, many people join parties in order to participate in leadership elections."

After we approached them with the figures today, Labour HQ sources insisted there are always members in arrears, and the number of new joiners has been "particularly high in recent weeks".

"There are always spikes in people joining during general elections, which then lapse in between elections," a Labour source said.

"Membership has more thandoubled since 2015 and the Tories won't even divulge their membership figures - estimated at around 70,000. Last year it was revealed that the Conservatives receive more funds from the dead than from living members."

We put our figures, including the regional breakdown, formally to the Labour Party to respond before publication.

A spokesman replied: "Labour is one of the largest political parties in Europe, made up of over half a million members, who are working to transform our society for the many not the few."