MPs hold out hope for “unity candidate” after first leadership hustings

Owen Smith has said he will pull out of the race in favour of Angela Eagle if he wins the backing of fewer MPs than his fellow leadership candidate – but Eagle has not made the same promise.

The two hopefuls in the Labour leadership contest, along with Jeremy Corbyn, took part in their first hustings of the campaign today in front of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP).

Corbyn’s performance was not greeted with enthusiasm from his audience, with one MP remarking that the leader was “heard in almost universal silence.” Others said that was the “least coherent” of the three, and that his insistence that he was “reaching out” fell flat following poor polling over the weekend. One former frontbencher said that Corbyn “didn’t seem bothered about winning or having policies” and “kept referring to his mandate like he took it for granted.”

However, Corbyn’s focus on the mandate he was given by members 10 months ago shows that he recognises that this will not be the most important debate of the campaign for him – and possibly gives us a glimpse of what his pitch will be over the next two months.

It was a much more important event for Smith and Eagle, who were both met with positivity from MPs. Supporters of each applauded the other, suggesting that there is scope for either to be a “unity candidate” within the PLP, at least, if one pulls out – as well as the desire among MPs for a single challenger to Corbyn.

There was a suggestion from Yvette Cooper that there should be an “indicative ballot” among MPs to determine which candidate has greater support, with the other dropping out in favour of the winner. Smith, whose campaign appears to believe he has the backing of more MPs, acquiesced to this suggestion, but Eagle failed to make the same pledge – joking that it was Corbyn who has the least support from the PLP.

Eagle set out her vision for a 10 year “Marshall plan” for left-behind communities, while Smith presented his idea for a “New Deal”, both of which would involve billions of pounds worth of investment and infrastructure projects.

One backbencher described the debate between the two as “the most uplifting experience in the last six years, if not longer.

“The rest of the Labour family right across country are in for a treat, a huge surprise. They will begin to realise that they have their party back from New Labour.”

MPs and MEPs will begin nominating candidates from 7pm tonight. Nominations close at 5pm on Wednesday July 20.