Miliband backs Owen Smith

FORMER Labour leader Ed Miliband has given his backing to Owen Smith in the leadership contest as the candidate he thinks can protect the country against Theresa May's potential plan for a 'hard Brexit'.
Ed Miliband campaigning with Jeremy Corbyn during the EU referendum in Doncaster.Ed Miliband campaigning with Jeremy Corbyn during the EU referendum in Doncaster.
Ed Miliband campaigning with Jeremy Corbyn during the EU referendum in Doncaster.

In a video piece he filmed for the Pontypridd MP’s campaign, he said he wanted a leader who can unite the party and take it into Government.

Last month, Mr Miliband, who represents Doncaster North, said Jeremy Corbyn should resign after losing the backing of the majority of MPs in Parliament.

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Mr Miliband said: “My choice in this leadership election is based on what this country needs at this extraordinary time after the European referendum.

“We’ve got a new Tory Prime Minister Theresa May who is claiming the language of the left but could our country further right with a hard Brexit plan.”

He said Mr Smith, who was elected in 2010, had always urged him to go further during his time as leader and to be bolder.

Now endorsing the left-wing politician, he said he has a plan to counter Tory austerity and deli ver a £200bn British New Deal.

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He added: “With him as Prime Minister we would get NHS spending up to the European average.”

Mr Miliband’s comments come amid an intensifying battle for the Labour leadership and party organisation, with Mr Corbyn and deputy leader Tom Watson entering a new war of words.

Publicly, the pair’s relationship has remained relatively peaceful despite Mr Watson telling Mr Corbyn he should stand down.

But Mr Corbyn’s campaign team reacted furiously after Mr Watson accused “Trotsky entryists” of returning to the Labour Party in an interview with the Guardian newspaper.