Labour Leadership candidate Owen Smith is confronted in Birmingham before today’s planned leadership debate (Image: RWAP)
Labour MP and party leadership challenger Owen Smith has been confronted by angry Jeremy Corbyn supporters on arrival to today’s Labour Leadership debate in Birmingham.
Arriving at the National Conference Centre for his fourth leadership debate, the former Shadow Secretary of State opted to engage with Labour Party members queuing up outside the venue before heading in to prepare for the live debate, to be broadcast at 7pm tonight.
Although initially confronted by party members upset that he’d chosen to stand against Jeremy, the MP for Pontypridd was soon discussing policy with both supporters and critics before his team ushered him into the building.
Labour Party members attending the regional debate in Birmingham have been selected by an internal party ballot. However, there are also non-party members flyering and making their presence known outside the conference hall.
A large number of those at the front of the queue today have been sporting red Momentum banners and t-shirts, the grassroots campaign group for Corbyn supporters.
A man questions Labour Leadership contender Owen Smith outside the National COnference Centre in Birmingham about his support (Image: RWAP)
Owen Smith is in the city to take part in the fourth of nine announced Leadership debates during August and early September, before Labour Party members get to vote and decide on who takes the helm of the Government’s official opposition.
#LabourLeadership contender Owen Smith has arrived at the NCC #Birmingham for an official televised debate at 7pm. pic.twitter.com/bEbboTQvbC
— I Am Birmingham (@IAmBirmingham) August 18, 2016
Current Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership was challenged following the EU referendum and the UK vote to leave. He was initially challenged by MP Angela Eagle but she dropped out of the race to back Owen Smith, who had attracted approximately 20 more nominations from MPs and MEPs than she had.
Recent polls show a lead for Jeremy as favourite to win the latest campaign. Corbyn has swelled Labour party membership since standing for the initial post-election Labour Leadership contest last year and has ben credited for an increase following an news of an alleged ‘coup’ against him.
Preparations are underway at #Birmingham‘s National Conference Centre for this evening’s #LabourLeadership debate. pic.twitter.com/faPV4Gg57k
— I Am Birmingham (@IAmBirmingham) August 18, 2016
Currently touring the UK with his leadership campaign, thousands have turned up in cities across the country as commentators have compared his presence of that of a “rock star“.
The fourth Labour Leadership debate is taking place at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham tonight (Thursday 18th August) and can be watched live here, or below:
