Owen Smith: hold Labour leadership hustings in every UK region

Owen Smith - credit: PA

Labour leadership contender Owen Smith has today written to Jeremy Corbyn, calling on him to take hold “at least one hustings event in every region of the country”

Under current plans the pair will only appear at three scheduled events hosted by the Labour party before the winner is announced on 24 September, down from 11 held during last summer’s race.

Last year’s contenders also appeared in numerous hustings across the UK before Corbyn’s landslide victory was confirmed on 12 September.

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In a letter to Corbyn and the party’s general secretary Iain McNicol, Smith called for the Labour leader’s support in holding more events across the country.

The former frontbencher said the upcoming contest is the “most important decision our party will take in a generation and will define our future as an effective opposition and party of government”. 

In light of that, party members must be given the opportunity to hear and debate the contrasting visions put forward by both himself and Corbyn, Smith said.

In his letter to his rival, he wrote: “You have spoken regularly about how last year’s leadership contest was one of the largest democratic exercises in our party’s history – and I agree.

"You and the other leadership contenders attended hustings in towns and cities across the UK, including eleven hosted by the Labour party.

“I think it is right that we do all we can to ensure this year’s contest is similarly open and democratic.

"We should ensure members in every part of the country have the opportunity to hear from us and ask us questions about why we want to lead our party.

“That is why I was disappointed to hear that the Labour party only plans to hold three hustings during the leadership contest.  I understand these events will be streamed online, but I do not believe this is sufficient.

"By not allowing as many members as possible to have the opportunity to attend a hustings, we risk disenfranchising many of the people who have joined our movement since the last general election.

“I am therefore writing to ask if you will join with me in urging the party to hold at least one hustings event in every region of the country over the next nine weeks.”

The result of the leadership contest will be announced on 24 September, just before the Labour party conference.