Angela Eagle pulls out of Labour leadership race – leaving Owen Smith to take on Jeremy Corbyn
Ex frontbencher Smith won the backing of more Labour MPs and MEPs
HUMILIATED Angela Eagle pulled out of the race to fight Jeremy Corbyn last night – leaving a straight battle between Labour’s leftie leader and Owen Smith.
Her decision also means Labour has still not picked a female leader in 116 years.
The former Shadow Business Secretary – who triggered the leadership contest against Mr Corbyn – withdrew after winning less support from MPs than rival Mr Smith.
Ex-Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Mr Smith got the backing of 88 Westminster colleagues and two MEPs, while Ms Eagle only secured around 70 names on the first day of voting.
But rather than dragging the contest into today (WED), Ms Eagle announced she was quitting to work in “lock step” with Mr Smith against the current leader.
It brought an end to days of wrangling over who would be the unity candidate to fight Mr Corbyn in a bruising summer contest that will end on September 24.
Who is Owen Smith?
Age: 46
MP for: Pontypridd, South Wales
Politics: Soft left
Entered Parliament: 2010
Positions held: Shadow Welsh Secretary 2012-2015, Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary 2015-2016.
Previous career: BBC producer, Labour special adviser, head of government relations for pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.
Marital status: Married, three kids.
Wallasey MP Ms Eagle, 55, said: “We have a Labour Party at the moment that is not working, we’ve got a leader that doesn’t have the confidence of his Members of Parliament and isn’t reaching out to the country.
“We need to have a strong and united Labour Party so we can be a good opposition, take the fight to the Conservative Government and heal our country.
“I will be supporting Owen in that endeavour with all my enthusiasm and might.”
She also urged Labour supporters to sign up for £25 to have a say in the leadership battle, in what a senior aide called “a fight for the future of Labour”.
Ms Eagle and Mr Smith are believed to have struck a deal to join forces depending on last night’s result.
Mr Smith, 46, said his beaten rival would his “right hand woman” during the contest – and if he wins.
The Pontypridd MP said: “Angela Eagle is a star in the Labour firmament.”
He also vowed to be a “Labour PM in waiting” but sought to win over Mr Corbyn’s hard left supporters, saying: “I’m just as radical as Jeremy Corbyn, but I have got the ideas to turn slogans into solutions.”
However, a poll suggested Mr Smith is heading for a disastrous defeat.
A massive 56 per cent of Labour members said they would back Mr Corbyn against him, with just 34 per cent supporting him.
Ms Eagle’s decision to pull out is yet another setback for Labour’s hopes of having a woman prime minister.
The party has never elected a female leader, while the Tories have put two women in Downing Street – Margaret Thatcher and Theresa May.
How does Labour leadership contest work?
Each challenger must be backed by 20% of Labour MPs and MEPs - currently 51
Labour leader is automatically included on the ballot paper
Labour Party members, registered and affiliated supporters vote through a postal ballot or a secure electronic vote in order of preference.
If there is no winner after round one of counting, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated and the votes are redistributed.
This happens until one candidate reaches more than 50%.
Porridge for breakfast!
ANGELA Eagle was caught on camera shouting “porridge” – just moments before she quit the race to fight Jeremy Corbyn.
Ms Eagle suffered a double embarrassment as her TV sound check was broadcast and then she withdrew from the contest.
Important announcement by Angle Eagle: "Porridge!"
— Ben (@Jamin2g)
Camera crews often ask guests to say what they have for breakfast to test that sound levels are ok.
Ms Eagle introduced herself as “Angela Eagle, porridge for breakfast” before being asked again what she had eaten.
She bellowed back: “Porridge!”
The clip sparked ridicule on social media.