Labour leadership race: Owen Smith tells supporters rival Jeremy Corbyn is 'not the Messiah - he's a very naughty boy'

Leadership bid: Labour's Owen Smith
Bruce Adams/Daily Mail
Hannah Al-Othman30 July 2016
WEST END FINAL

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Labour leadership hopeful Owen Smith steered his campaign to topple Jeremy Corbyn into "enemy territory" today by telling supporters at a Liverpool rally: "He's not the Messiah."

Mr Smith was challenged by a Corbyn supporter at the event, who claimed the current party leader was "like the Messiah" who people were trying to "crucify".

But the MP for Pontypridd, to the delight of around 200 supporters, shot back: "He's not the Messiah. He's a very naughty boy", referencing the famous Monty Python line.

Mr Smith, the only challenger to Mr Corbyn for the leadership, said the Labour Party had been the greatest force for economic and social justice for working people in the country's history.

But he told supporters the battle with Mr Corbyn for leadership was a fight for the future and "soul" of the Labour Party otherwise it could be "consigned to history".

Defiant: Jeremy Corbyn is battling to retain the Labour leadership
Jack Taylor/Getty Images

He said: "Because the truth is, unless we win power, unless we put those principles into practice through government, all of these meetings, all of these marches, it's just howling into the wind. It's just protest. And we're better than that.

"We're a party that was created that century ago to wrest power, through parliament, from the hands of the elite, to give it to people, to act on their behalf. To deliver a people's government, that's what we are about.

"I like a march as much as Jeremy does, but I tell you what, I'd far prefer to have a Labour man or Labour woman in Number 10, putting into practice our policies, that's what I came into politics for, not to talk about it, to do it."

Mr Smith pledged policies of fair taxes, £200 billion more public investment, and an end to the freeze on pay for public sector workers.

He added: "Credible, believable socialist solutions to the problems we face in Britain. That will appeal everywhere.

"And If you give me a chance, if you put your faith in me I promise you this, I will not let you down."

Mr Corbyn is facing the challenge after 172 of his own MPs supported a vote of no confidence in his leadership.

The leadership election campaign continues until September.

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