Some have targeted Mr Watson, who has clashed openly with the Labour leader over claims that far-left activists have been infiltrating the party.
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But some of his backers regard deselection by local members as part of the process of “democratising” the Labour party, which could also include more involvement for members in selecting the shadow cabinet and deciding the direction of party policy.
But supporters of Jeremy Corbyn want to allow MPs to choose only a third of the front bench, with party members and the leader himself each choosing a third.
At a meeting of Labour’s ruling national executive, Mr Corbyn will clash head on with his deputy, Tom Watson, over moves to elect the party’s shadow cabinet.
They were telephone canvassing for Corbyn in the Labour leadership election.
Mr Corbyn also pledged to use the surge in Labour members to create a strong campaigning organisation.
If Theresa May decides to call an election next year to capitalise on Labour disunity and seek a mandate for Brexit negotiations the Labour party needs to put a swift end to its civil war.
Mr Watson said changes made under Ed Miliband to the way in which the Labour leader is elected were “very rushed” as he advocated moving away from the system of one member one vote.
But in a plea for unity, he said: “We’ve had a very bruising summer”.
It is thought that Mr Corbyn will try to block discussion of OMOV at this stage, on the grounds that it is wrong to table such a major change at the last minute without proper consultation.
But he insisted the proposed change was not intended as a “sword of Damocles” hanging over the victor of the current contest, as it would come into effect only after they leave the post.
“And if you ask if I think anti-Semitism is a major problem in the Labour Party I would give nearly the same response as the one I was suspended for – “No” but with one amendment: anti-Semitism is not a major problem, the suspension process is”.
Allies like shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry and shadow chancellor John McDonnell have signalled they could support shadow cabinet elections, despite it being seen as a move against the leadership, and potentially welcome Mr Smith back to the top team. But he pointed out that a members’ vote would impose a financial burden of as much as a third of a million pounds on the party.
His is overwhelming favourite to retain the Labour leadership in his battle with rival Owen Smith, with the result due to be announced at the start of the Labour Party Conference on Septemeber 24. We all think there’s a likelihood of a very early general election.
Mr Watson has put forward two proposals: one that would see MPs chose the shadow cabinet and the other that would split the decision evenly between MPs, Mr Corbyn and the party members.
“Don’t write me off until the final whistle, is all that I ask”, he said.
“Whatever the outcome of the leadership contest, we have an opportunity this weekend to come together and build on the broad range of policies, which have been advocated by both candidates”.
Most importantly, I am a democratic socialist – it says so on my party card – and I believe our duty is to win power in the country, at the ballot box, through making our case in parliament.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will outline plans for £48 billion investment in the West Midlands in Birmingham when he appears before thousands of supporters at a city centre rally on Saturday, September 17.
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Once the vote went against Mr Corbyn, only then did she resign her shadow ministerial post, despite writing to him through watery eyes that the actions of his parliamentary comrades were disgraceful.
