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Labour fudge over proposed shadow cabinet changes

Mr Corbyn was among those to vote against it, but he did agree to further talks with Mr Watson and other senior Labour party figures.

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David Miliband today branded Labour “unelectable” and warned the party he once wanted to lead has not been further from power since the 1930s.

But he is also a giant of the UK’s film industry, helming acclaimed projects like Kes and The Wind That Shakes The Barley.

In an open letter to Labour Party members and supporters Mr Smith, the former shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said his ideas, whatever the result at the weekend, would remain “as relevant after this contest as they have been during”.

He also insisted there would be “absolutely no split in the party” if Corbyn was re-elected, adding: “The party is far too important not just for the people who have been in it for an bad long time but for the values it represents and indeed for the way it wants to represent and govern the country”.

Jeremy Corbyn has already pledged to “reach out” to Labour MPs if he is re-elected as leader.

“Stop obsessing about the party issues and devote your considerable talent and experience to the one thing that really matters – the fast-approaching catastrophe of Brexit”, pleaded commentator Polly Toynbee in The Guardian, a newspaper read by many Labour supporters.

“Anything else would be destructive and self-indulgent”.

As the polls closed, Mr Smith released a statement which said: “I’m incredibly grateful to all of the Labour members, supporters and trade unionists who have voted for me in this election”.

OWEN Smith’s campaign team appeared to be considering the prospect of defeat in the Labour leadership race on Tuesday, as voting in the bitterly-fought contest entered the final hours.

‘But the electorate can see through the domestic policy, too, ‘ he said.

Mr Miliband, president of the International Rescue Committee, singled out Mr Corbyn’s approach to foreign affairs for particular criticism.

“In the next few days, I will be holding discussions with MPs and others about the best way to cement a new working relationship with the parliamentary Labour party, as we democratise our party and its structures”.

Ian Murray said the move could act as an “olive branch” to win over MPs who have been critical of the veteran left-winger, who looks nearly certain to be re-elected as Labour leader on Saturday.

Mr Watson said: “I’m very pleased”.

A spokesman for Mr Corbyn told the Jewish Chronicle the video had been produced by his campaign team and not his official office.

As one contest ended another began with ballots for the SNP deputy leader post opening to party members yesterday.

They say Corbyn is too left wing for voters who returned the Conservatives to power just previous year, which means the ruling party will have a free rein to pursue austerity policies and plot a divorce from the European Union they fear will push Britain to the right. We had a very positive meeting.

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But Mr Corbyn’s first wife, Jane Chapman, revealed that she voted for the ” more flexible and media savvy” Mr Smith.

Ballots close in UK Labour leadership race