Clamour within the Labour Party to abandon austerity politics ahead of the general election grew yesterday as a poll revealed “overwhelming” support for alternative policies.

Results of a Labour List poll showed that a whopping 83 per cent of activists supported a new strategy proposed by 15 MPs in a statement on Monday.

Putting a stop to spending cuts and sparking growth through investment in British industry were the headline policies of the pledge card drawn up by MP Michael Meacher.

It also included commitments to return the railways to public ownership and boosting workers’ rights and collective bargaining to curb corporate power.

Mr Meacher said that the substantial support for his statement was proof that the policies it proposes were “mainstream” in the Labour Party.

“We’re clearly picking up support for these statements from across the whole spectrum of the party — right, centre and left,” said the former environment minister.

“I think that proves that this is mainstream thinking.

“And for that reason I hope passionately that those drawing up the manifesto will take account of such strong and extensive support among activists from across the party.”

Just 13 per cent of the 980 Labour List readers polled opposed the policies.

Labour List editor Mark Ferguson wrote that the policies were “unlikely” to be made Labour policy before the election.

But he did say that the poll results reflected “a desire from grassroots Labour activists to move towards the party’s traditional base — further to the left of the party currently stands.”