Smith: Labour will be 'destroyed' with Corbyn in charge

Owen Smith said Labour "will split and be destroyed" with Jeremy Corbyn in charge, as he was confirmed as the only challenger to Mr Corbyn's leadership.

The MP for Pontypridd pledged to "go beyond the slogans" used by Mr Corbyn and "get to some of the solutions", which he said is necessary if the party is to turn from a protest party into one that "people can imagine running the country."

Mr Smith said that "the values we all hold are worth nothing unless we can put them into practice by winning power".

Speaking to ITV News, the Welshman added that he is "incredibly proud" that his colleagues have put their faith in him to "do what they know is necessary" to "unite the Labour party and heal the divisions that have been tearing us apart in recent months".

"With Jeremy in charge of this party this party will split and be destroyed, and that is why I felt I had no choice but to put my name forward and to stand for the leadership," he said.

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