Corbyn backer switches allegiance to challenger Owen Smith

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”.

“So I say it is time for us in words to commit ourselves by rewriting Clause IV of the Labour Party’s constitution, the beating heart of our party”.

Brentford & Isleworth Labour Party had been due to consider a motion in support of Corbyn before the meeting was cancelled against members’ wishes.

But Ms Eagle, who launched her leadership bid last week, refused to sign up to the idea that the contender with the fewest nominations should step aside.

“We’re not going to do a deal on your sofa, handsome though it is”.

There is mounting speculation that Labour could split if Mr Corbyn clings on to power despite having been abandoned by most of his MPs.

The former shadow work and pensions secretary was expected to make a speech in Pontypridd why he needed to challenge Jeremy Corbyn setting out.

“It’s not unfeasible to suggest that an alternative Labour Party manifesto could be produced by the 81 per cent of Labour MPs who don’t support Jeremy Corbyn”. He has attracted tens of thousands to the Labour Party and has inspired a new generation to become engaged in politics.

The MP, who insisted his opposition to Mr Corbyn is not personal, added: “If Jeremy wins a leadership contest again, if I’m selected to be a candidate at the 2020 election or whenever that election comes, I find it hard to see how people like me would stand on Jeremy’s manifesto”.

She said: “Jeremy’s lost the confidence of the Parliamentary Party and we have seen from some of the polls that he is not connecting either with Labour voters, and that is the argument we have to have in the country”.

Mr Corbyn has called on supporters not to abuse his rivals during the leadership contest amid growing tensions within the Labour movement.

Newly-appointed shadow education secretary Angela Rayner repeatedly refused to say she would back Mr Corbyn for the leadership.

She said: “I put my name forward because i think i am the best candidate to do this job and I think I would be a good Prime Minister”.

Writing in the same newspaper ahead of his leadership launch, Mr Smith admitted that it was a “worrying time” for Labour, saying: “If we don’t pull together, unite and start acting like a proper team we are at risk of falling apart”.

Labour’s election co-ordinator Jon Trickett said: “Coup organised by a small group against elected leader fails because of lack of rank and file support”. “It’s been a shambles so far”.