Many of his own MPs felt Mr Corbyn, who won a landslide victory to become Labour leader previous year, had not campaigned vigorously enough for a “Remain” vote.
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Mr Smith claimed Mr Corbyn “never really bought into the idea of remaining in the European Union”.
In our first poll since Brexit and David Cameron’s resignation, the Conservative party has a 13 point lead over Labour.
Mr Smith was speaking on a visit to Durham’s County Hall as he prepares to face current Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
“I want a Labour leader who can unite our party and make us a serious alternative government”.
Corbyn also has the support of the country’s biggest union, Unite, which based its endorsement on motions in support of the leader at its annual conference, rather than a formal consultation. I will serve Labour on the backbenches, because I’m Labour to my bones.
Britain’s opposition Labour Party is in turmoil. I was determined that our members would have their say, and they’ve had it.
Ballot papers are due to be issued on August 22 before a result on September 24.
Mr Khan had suggested he was committed to building at least 50,000 homes a year but now says it is more important to build “the right sort of homes”.
But no local CLPs have yet voted in favour of his opponent Owen Smith.
At a packed meeting at the Prince of Wales hotel in the town, Mr Corbyn received 107 votes from members with challenger Owen Smith receiving 27. “(A) credible and radical Labour government-in-waiting”, said Smith.
General Secretary Mr McNicol angered many Corbyn supporters after the NEC ruled that 130,000 people who joined the party after January 12 could not vote in the leadership contest.
An unprecedented 370 members in Islington North voted at a meeting on Wednesday, with 266 backing Mr Corbyn for the leadership and 100 for Mr Smith. “Let there be light”, urged Corbyn, who was then forced to wait some moments longer for the lights to come back on.
She replied: “It’s odd Dave Prentis has said that because actually what’s happened is Unison have consulted their members and they’ve chose to support Jeremy, so it’s odd that he says something negative”.
To boos, Mr Smith said: “I’d start by doing something that Jeremy unfortunately can’t do, I would put together a shadow cabinet of all of the talents of the Labour party”.
Mr Corbyn said he felt shocked and saddened after the referendum, but added it had to be accepted that the country had voted out.
“I don’t think Jeremy has provided numerous answers we need”.
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They also accuse far-left activists among his supporters of intimidating more centrist party members.
