UK Labour lawmaker Owen Smith says to run for party leadership

The Labour leader addressed a crowd of around a thousand supporters at the Keep Corbyn fundraising rally after the party’s ruling National Executive Committee confirmed his name would automatically be on the ballot paper after former shadow business secretary Ms Eagle challenged him for the top job.

Tensions in the Labour Party escalated further as the Unite union called for the mandatory re-selection of all MPs.

Corbyn continues to have strong support among Labour supporters, who took to the streets in thousands after the attempted coup in the party following the Brexit vote.

Ms Eagle said she welcomed the contest and was “determined” to win.

He will then head to Buckingham Palace to hand his resignation to Queen Elizabeth II, followed later by Home Secretary Theresa May who will have an audience with the Queen to be given her seal of approval as the new prime minister.

She has ruled out calling an early general election – the next one is not due until 2020 – although some suggest she should capitalise on the disarray in Labour’s ranks.

Corbyn will be on the ballot list for party leadership elections.

A contest is taking place after Black Country MP Tom Watson (Lab West Bromwich East), and the party’s deputy leader, was unsuccessful in his attempt to negotiate a deal which could have involved Mr Corbyn standing down voluntarily.

It comes after a fractious six-hour meeting with the party’s National Executive Committee on Tuesday evening, where members voted to allow Mr Corbyn’s name to be automatically included on the ballot.

Labour Party members need to have signed up on or before 12 January to be eligible to vote.

I believe I have the experience and the ability to show real leadership and ensure we can heal the divisions in our party and our country and prevent perpetual Tory rule. I welcome the contest ahead.

Anyone can become registered supporters – giving them a one-off vote – if they pay £25 and “share” Labour’s aims and values.

“It is extremely concerning that Angela Eagle has been the victim of a threatening act and that other MPs are receiving abuse and threats”, Corbyn said.

Corbyn – who was accused of being half-hearted in his attempts to persuade Labour voters to vote to remain in the European Union – has suffered a wave of shadow cabinet ministers and a vote of no confidence.

The party will announce the election timetable tomorrow but the contest is expected to take two months, with the victor to be announced on the eve of the Labour Party conference on September 24.