Corbyn vs Smith – what you thought about the Birmingham hustings

During Thursday evening’s leadership debate we asked readers for their reaction to the candidates. Here are a pick of the contributions from our readers:

“Three hustings/events was enough for me; even already knowing my position they were informative to get both sides, just to be fair. I would have thought most people surely would have made up their minds already and unless some shocking, or stunning, revelation comes up its just prolonging the agony and the infighting. Lets just get on with the vote and have done.” – wilsonjonathan

“There is no real debate as Smith is copying Corbyn’s policies almost to the letter. I would have had more respect for the PLP if they had put up someone who actually represented their views, like Chuka, and a proper debate could have been had.” – Andy Harvey

“Have either of them outlined a strategy for getting some of the 65+ age group back into the fold? The pension liberation by the coalition in the last Parliament was a master stroke and showed one of the parties has it’s sights on this rich vein of votes.” – Martin Kilgariff

“One thing I have picked up on, is Smiths’s closing speeches, and here I see a difference. He talks about what he will do in power, and talks passionately about being in power, but Corbyn’s closing speeches cover the inequalities he sees, and people, in society. He is passionate about them and changing them for the better. This lends an authenticity to what Corbyn says – he really does want to change things for the better. Smith sounds less convincing about people and more concerned about power.” – jack hammer