Labour MPs rally behind single candidate in a bid to oust Jeremy Corbyn

Angela Eagle who vowed a week before to oust Jeremy Corbyn from the leadership position of the United Kingdom’s Labour Party withdrew her bid from the leadership race and pledged her support to Owen Smith who formally introduced his bid to replace Corbyn and promised to work for a second referendum once the negotiations with the European Union is done with.

The former shadow work and pensions secretary Owen Smith became the unity candidate after Ms. Eagle withdrawal from the race. However, he said that Eagle will remain his right-hand woman if he wins. After realizing that Mr. Owen has a better chance and support to replace Corbyn, she withdrew her bid. Ms. Eagle announced her decision after attracting less support from colleagues than Mr. Smith, who won nominations from 88 Members of the Parliament (MPs) including former leader Ed Milliband. Ms. Eagle secured the backing of 70 MPs.

Though more than 150 MPs voted against Corbyn’s leadership, he remains extremely popular with grassroots members of the Labour Party and is widely expected to win. A YouGov poll shows Mr. Corbyn is leading by 20 points over Smith. More than 55,000 people paid £25 to vote in this election and more are likely to join in before the deadline.