The leadership contenders were to clash in the first set-piece debate of the campaign in Cardiff last night.
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In a heated debate frequently interrupted by loud boos and cheers from the studio audience, Corbyn and Smith locked horns on the economy, Trident, and Labour disunity, but throughout the 90-minute discussion scarce mention of the low-carbon economy was made by either candidate.
A total of 121 members backed Mr Corbyn against 54 who supported challenger Owen Smith, Labour’s former shadow work and pensions secretary. It is assumed he means the party has to unite behind him rather than Corbyn to avoid a split, which could be catastrophic for the party.
The Labour leader will continue his campaigning in east London with a focus on how he wants to develop the country alongside efforts to transform his party.
Speaking at a rally in Brighton, the Labour leader said that despite “constant failures”, companies continue to make huge profits by “cutting staff, cutting services and raising your ticket prices”.
“It’s a very great responsibility to be elected as a Labour MP to represent our party, our movement and its values”, he said. “We have a responsibility to ensure the political wing of our movement is not left impotent and that our members do not have to endure another generation of Conservative rule”.
As the Labour leader left the event he was followed by a large group of supporters, some of whom asked for “selfies” or tried to speak to the leader.
Mr Corbyn earlier announced his 10-point programme to rebuild Britain, including a £500bn (€590bn) investment scheme overseen by a national investment bank over the next decade.
Jeremy Corbyn today unveils his £500 billion blueprint to “rebuild” the United Kingdom ahead of a Labour leadership showdown with Owen Smith.
Corbyn spoke just hours before a predicted Bank of England cut to interest rates, which would aim to stimulate the economy following the vote to leave the European Union. “Let us have faith in ourselves, our party and our country to deliver real social justice all across this country”.
It included a promise to rebuild Britain with a £500 billion investment scheme – with much of the money going through local councils so that they invest in local communities.
On the BBC’s Today programme this morning, shadow chancellor John McDonnell supported an interest rate cut, but said the discussion should not be ‘just around Value-Added Tax or around monetary policy.
He said: “You can not want that because you want a Labour government, you want to put into practice our principles, you don’t just want to protest about I hope, you want to actually deliver something for this country”.
Meanwhile, a High Court judge hearing the test case of five Labour members who are challenging the decision to block them from voting in the contest because they joined after January 12 said he will give his ruling on Monday.
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The pair agreed on issues relating to boosting infrastructure investment and improving gender representation in parliament.
