What would Owen Smith Pontypridd MP be taking on?
Rumour has it that Pontypridd MP Owen Smith is to challenge for the Labour party leadership. Of course as yet no real moves have been made. After almost all of the shadow cabinet resigned Labour MPs orchestrated a vote of no confidence in Corbyn last week and won by an overwhelming majority. They no doubt expected him to fall on his sword, but since he has refused to do so claiming – rightly – that he has a democratic mandate from his party's membership, they seem to be at a loss as to how to proceed.
It was expected that Angela Eagle would launch an immediate challenge, and then Owen Smith's name emerged as another contender. So far neither of them have made a move.
The Labour party is, according to many of their own senior members, at crisis point. Corbyn had tremendous support from grass roots members when he won the leadership contest last year and it appears that still exists by and large. His advisers have said he will stand again if there is a contest, and he may well win. What then? How can he continue to be an effective opposition leader if he does not have the faith of most of his MPs?
If he does step down then his successor will take on a Labour party that is deeply divided and with a membership that is disillusioned by their own party. Hardly the career move he would have wanted.
Should Mr Smith eventually put his hat in the ring he will first of all face the continued wrath of his local members. His facebook page has been full of comments from angry Labour members and supporters calling him a traitor and telling him to resign. He won the Pontypridd nomination based on the union vote – they are backing Corbyn. So where does he stand with regards to reselection? A particular problem if, as it is rumoured could be the case, a snap general election is called.
The silence at present continues with no contender having declared. The press have suggested that this may be because they are trying to agree behind the scenes on one candidate that MPs could unite behind against Corbyn rather than split the vote if he does stand again. Alternatively prospective candidate may be thinking this over very carefully and coming to the conclusion that there is much to be lost.
Some Pontypridd constituents may be wishing their MP would devote a little more time to his constituency and less time with Labour party infighting.
