Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Date announced for first Labour leadership hustings face-off between Jeremy Corbyn and Owen Smith

The pair will go head-to-head in Cardiff

Jon Stone
Tuesday 26 July 2016 16:57 BST
Comments
Jeremy Corbyn is being challenged by Owen Smith
Jeremy Corbyn is being challenged by Owen Smith (PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Jeremy Corbyn and Owen Smith will go head-to-head in a husting for the first time next month.

The two leadership conteders will meet in Cardiff on 4 August, party general secretary Iain McNichol confirmed.

In an email to members Mr McNichol stressed that members would be choosing the party’s “candidate for prime minister” and that the hustings would help them decide.

The dates of televised hustings events are expected to be announced in due course by broadcasters.

“The Tories have failed working people over the last six years and now in choosing Theresa May who has been at the heart of the Tory Government since the beginning, they have chosen more of the same failed approach,” he said.

“Labour members and supporters will now select a candidate for Prime Minister who can offer the change working people and Britain needs.

“We need a Labour government again to stand up for Britain and what we believe in: building a strong economy, defending our NHS and our public services, and fighting for fairness, equality and social justice.

Owen Smith appears on Newsnight
Owen Smith appears on Newsnight (BBC)

“The leader you choose in this contest will be Labour’s candidate for Prime Minister. They will lead Labour into the next General Election to fight for the change we need.”

The announcement comes amid a High Court battle over whether Mr Corbyn should be automatically included on the Labour leadership ballot paper.

A suit from a Labour donor argues that Mr Corbyn should seek nominations, as challengers have had to.

However Labour ruling National Executive Committee ruled earlier this month that Mr Corbyn should automatically be on the ballot paper as the incumbent.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in