JEREMY CORBYN'S AGENDA IS THE REJECTION OF WHAT MADE LABOUR SUCCESSFUL, SAYS LEADER OF THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS TIM FARRON

With just 20 days before Labour chooses its new leader, many who believe Britain needs a strong Opposition are holding their heads in their hands.

Labour is being driven by Jeremy Corbyn’s agenda. It is a rejection of the pragmatism that made Labour successful under Blair. It is a rerun of the battles of the 1980s.

Whatever the result, the party is heading for years of civil war and irreparable splits. We may be about to witness nothing less than the reformation of the Centre-Left in Britain.

Mr Farron says the 'Corbyn-style politics of placards and megaphones may generate a lot of noise, but...only one thing keeps governments in check – the prospect of electoral defeat'

Mail on Sunday readers may ask why they should worry about Labour tearing itself apart, or why I, the leader of a rival party, should care. It’s because Britain needs effective and credible opposition.

Our country needs a party to speak up for decent, centre-ground politics, offering hope and change as well as economic credibility.

The Corbyn-style politics of placards and megaphones may generate a lot of noise, but as the miners’ strike and the poll tax riots showed, only one thing keeps governments in check – the prospect of electoral defeat.

So whatever route Labour chooses, I promise that the Lib Dems will offer a serious, responsible alternative to this Government.

Yes, the Lib Dems suffered at the ballot box in May – there is no denying that. But we are the responsible opposition. And people recognise that our membership is increasing at an unprecedented rate.

Now, I don’t expect a flood of immediate defections from Labour MPs and supporters. But my message to anybody who cares about both fairness and economic probity is simply, join us.

The Lib Dem leader claims Corbyn is rejecting the pragmatism which won Tony Blair the keys to Number 10 three times

If you want to strengthen the voice of a sensible, reasoned opposition, it is the Lib Dems who can offer an alternative vision, championing hope and opportunity as well as a strong economic record.

Despite being reduced to just eight MPs at the Election, the Lib Dems have been far more of an opposition since May 7 than Labour.

Even before Mr Corbyn became the odds-on leadership favourite, his party had become an official Opposition that does not oppose.

Two of the most significant measures since May – the summer Budget and welfare cuts – have been waved through by Labour.

But the Lib Dems voted against both the Budget and the cuts to support for young people. We could oppose this because we have built up economic credibility.

We are consistent: we blocked Tory plans in Government and oppose them now in opposition.

As Labour continues to abdicate responsibility for opposing the Conservatives in a credible way, then the Lib Dems will continue to do so alone.