Labour ‘cannot become the new nasty party’, Angela Eagle warns

Asked if he would not trigger article 50, beginning the process of the United Kingdom leaving the EU, Smith replied: “That would be very tempting for the Labour party because we are a party that believes in being at the heart of Europe, but I don’t think it’s a binary choice”.

Writing in the Sunday Mirror Mr Smith said it was a “worrying time for Labour” and claimed the new Conservative government “will try to use Brexit as an excuse for slashing workers’ rights and forcing through even more cuts”. “We owe it to the millions of people across Britain who look to the Labour Party to provide hope and optimism for their lives”.

Mr Smith will announce his bid in his Pontypridd constituency, committing cash to housing, transport and “investing in people”.

In a swipe at his rival Angela Eagle, the former shadow work and pensions minister will say that only he can unite the fractured party.

The politician – one of the most outspoken critics of the embattled leader – outlined the suggestion after conceding Mr Corbyn could well retain his position in the forthcoming leadership contest.

Last week, Swansea East Labour Party held a vote in which members voted unanimously in favour of a resolution confirming support for Mr Corbyn.

He is also expected to attack Mr Corbyn for being anti-austerity without bringing forward an alternative.

Writing in the Observer, Ms Eagle echoed Mr Smith’s view that the party was in danger of being destroyed, saying it was “as divided and disunited as I can remember”. “We have to set out a detailed plan for how Labour would replace failed Tory austerity with credible proposals for prosperity”.

“We are more and more at war with ourselves, with a leader who can not command the support of 20 per cent of his parliamentary party but has massed members turn out at rallies and constituency party meetings across the country and an automatic pass onto the ballot”.

The National Executive Committee removed a loophole on Thursday that would allow Labour members who joined after January 12 to join the Unite union to vote in the leadership race.

Nominations for the election close on July 20, and there is a two day window between July 18 to 20 for people to pay £25 to register to vote in the contest, with ballot papers being mailed from August 22.

“Think about what attracted you to the Labour Party in the first place?”