Labour leadership contenders in region

THE SECOND Labour leadership contest in just 12 months has arrived in Yorkshire as both Jeremy Corbyn and challenger Owen Smith tour the region.

Mr Corbyn addressed supporters in York last night, and will travel to Hull and Leeds today to speak at two events in which he hopes to drum up support ahead of ballot papers being sent to members in August.

He is set to talk about his commitment to the steel industry and improving inner-city transport links and will also talk of a £500bn cash pot that he would make available to the North of England through a national investment bank.

He will also have to defend himself against criticism that he is not fit to lead after 172 members of the Parliamentary Labour Party said they had no confidence in him.

Welsh MP Owen Smith was in York on Thursday night and also in Orgreave, South Yorkshire on Wednesday, where he described himself as a Prime Minister in waiting and while sharing many political views as Mr Corbyn, he said in Leeds that the party needs “deeds” not just “words”.

The former shadow Work and Pensions Secretary who was elected in 2010 rolled out a raft of policy ideas this week that place him on the left-wing of the party.

Mr Corbyn will appear at the Rose Bowl in Hull for an open air rally and then at New Dock Hall, The Armouries, Leeds in the evening at 7pm.

To find out more about both events go to www.jeremyforlabour.com. This week Mr Corbyn successfully defended his right to have his name automatically included on the ballot paper without seeking renomination from MPs and MEPs at the High Court in London this week.