Labour leadership hopeful Liz Kendall has rejected accusations that she is "against democracy" by urging members to back anyone but frontrunner Jeremy Corbyn in their second preference vote.
Ms Kendall yesterday urged supporters to use their second and third preferences in the leadership election ballot to back her rivals Andy Burnham and Yvette Cooper, prompting Mr Corbyn to accuse his opponents of being "nervous about the power of democracy".
Speaking on a campaign trip to Edinburgh, Ms Kendall said: "I am absolutely not. I voted for the AV referendum in the last parliament and we've got a similar system in the Labour Party where people can use their different preferences.
"A lot of people on social media have said: 'You're against democracy'. I'm not, I'm saying to people: 'Use your preferences.'"
Under the Labour election rules, if no contender wins outright with more than 50% of first preferences, the bottom one drops out and the second preferences of their backers are reallocated to the other candidates.
With the polls indicating Ms Kendall could finish fourth, her supporters' choice of second preference could influence the result.
Ms Kendall said: "I cannot pretend that I am agnostic about Jeremy Corbyn leading our party and I'm going to be fighting until the very end to say to people: 'I am the best candidate to win for Labour in 2020 - vote for me for a credible alternative to the Tories.'
"I don't want to see Labour submit a resignation letter to the British people, and give up on being a serious party that seeks to return to government.
"I think he would be the wrong leader for Labour and for the country, and I love our party too much to see us lose the next election as well as the last.
"Millions of people depend on the Labour Party to offer that credible alternative."
Mr Corbyn has pledged to scrap the renewal of Trident nuclear weapons and re-nationalise British industries.
Ms Kendall told Labour members: "They are electing a prime minister that has to be trusted with the security of this country.
"I do believe in renewing our commitment to Trident. I know that that causes a huge debate in the party and the country, but do you know what? People want politicians that give them the straight answers and tell it like it is.
"People might disagree with me, but I have to put forward what I believe in."
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