Labour leadership contenders in TV debate

Photo: BBC

BBC Question Time with Jeremy Corbyn and Owen Smith

'Question Time' began its new series with a hustings special screened live from the Queen Elizabeth Hall in Oldham last night (Thursday 8 September).

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn enjoys strong support from many party members but doesn't command the confidence of the majority of his MPs, losing a vote of no confidence by 172 to 40 in June.

Owen Smith, MP for Pontypridd, has the backing of MPs but not as much support as Corbyn from party members.

The audience was made up of Labour voters split between the two contenders and members of other political parties. Neither candidate knew the questions in advance.

There was more support for Corbyn than Smith in the fractious audience.

The two contenders clashed over party unity, Brexit and anti-Semitism.

Smith supported staying in the EU, which he cited as a key policy difference between the two candidates. Corbyn said he wanted to remain in the single market "if it's possible, and I think it probably is".

The two also clashed over the party's record on tackling anti-Semitism and abuse within Labour, with Smith questioning whether Corbyn was "entirely committed" to it.

Corbyn hit back, criticising Smith's attacks as unfair.

"I have spent my life opposing racism in any form," he added.

The head-to-head came just weeks before voting in the race closes, with the winner to be named on 24 September.