David Miliband says Corbyn offers only 'angry defiance' as he backs Kendall for leader

David Miliband says he will back Liz Kendall in the Labour leadership contest Credit: Reuters

Jeremy Corbyn is "backwards looking" and offers only "angry defiance", David Miliband has said in an intervention published in the Guardian.

The former foreign secretary said he would be backing Liz Kendall, impressed by her "fresh thinking" and "political courage", with Yvette Cooper as his second preference.

Miliband says he is impressed with the plain speaking and political courage of Liz Kendall Credit: Reuters

Miliband argues that the Corbyn programme looks backwards, citing the pledges of nationalisation, increases in national insurance for high earners and "equivocation" over the UK's role in the EU.

He is the latest in a string of ex-New Labour politicians to issues warnings against electing the left-wing candidate.

Back in July, Tony Blair called for supporters to "get a transplant", with Gordon Brown stating that Corbyn would not be able to form a government in a speech yesterday.