Second candidate challenges Corbyn for UK Labour leadership

London: A second candidate joined the race on Wednesday to try to unseat Britain's embattled opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.

"I will stand in this election and I will do the decent thing and fight Jeremy Corbyn on the issues," Labour lawmaker Owen Smith told the BBC.

He will join fellow  MP Angela Eagle in trying to wrest the party leadership. The winner of the contest is expected to be announced in September.

The campaign to try to oust Corbyn began in the wake of Britain's shock June 23 vote to leave the EU.

Three-quarters of Labour lawmakers backed a vote of no confidence in Corbyn on June 28, accusing him of failing to persuade working-class voters to back EU membership.

Late yesterday, Corbyn won a first victory over his critics after the party's executive committee ruled he would automatically be included on the leadership ballot.

The decision means that -- unlike his challengers -- he does not need to garner nominations from Labour MPs or members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to stand.