LABOUR party figures from south Essex have given their reasons for backing Owen Smith in its leadership contest.

It comes as current party leader Jeremy Corbyn faces a fight to retain control of Labour ahead of its leadership conference in September.

Lady Angela Smith, Labour’s leader in the house of Lords, says she is endorsing Mr Smith on the basis of him being what the party needs in a “difficult time” for the country.

The former Basildon MP said: “What we have seen in government has been reflected in council across the country, the two go hand in hand.

“Locally we haven’t made the gains we wanted, losing the county council by election this year and also in Basildon and Thurrock. That’s not the fault of the candidates, because they are very worthy ones.

“I believe they are getting punished for what is happening in government, and something has to be done, and getting Owen to lead us could be what we need.”

Lady Smith added that whilst she admires Mr Corbyn’s values, she added that Mr Smith’s ability to communicate with people makes him the best candidate.

She said: “Jeremy has been getting a lot of people to go to the rallies, but he hasn’t been able to get the votes. Given what’s happening in the Conservative party,

“It’s not just a question of having the right values, it’s about being able to convince people implement them.

“Owen is a good communicator, and has an excellent track record in the shadow cabinet. I worked closely with him on the tax credits cuts and the vote in the House of Lords, which meant the government had to stand down.”

Julian Ware-Lane, deputy leader of Southend Labour group, says he is unsure that Mr Smith taking the reins would improve the party’s grip on local politics.

However Mr Ware-Lane believes it to be in the party’s interest for Corbyn to step aside.

He said: “There’s still a role for him in politics, but right now it’s like the child who has his eyes covered and claims that nobody can see him.

“There has been a vote of no confidence tabled, and that is a pretty big thing. Our own Labour movement in Southend is very strong, but having strong leadership at the top of the party is important.

“I believe that is exactly what Owen Smith can bring.”

A new survey indicates that Labour Party councillors are overwhelmingly backing Owen Smith in the leadership election.

Researchers in the Labour History Research Unit at Anglia Ruskin University, polled 350 councillors across the 250 most marginal parliamentary constituencies in the UK.

The survey, carried out last week, found that 60 per cent of councillors are backing Smith, with 28 per cent likely to vote for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and 11per cent undecided.

Dr Richard Carr, Lecturer in History and Politics at Anglia Ruskin, said: “Our data suggests that Owen Smith’s appeal reaches beyond the Westminster bubble and into committee rooms and Labour council meetings across Britain.

“But it may not matter. If Owen Smith is unable to convince a sizeable chunk of £25 registered supporters that he is the man for them, his campaign looks likely to be sunk.

“He might be seen by Labour Party councillors as best placed to connect with the wider electorate and challenge Theresa May, but he’ll need a strong change in the winds to get past Jeremy Corbyn right now.”