Ex-Labour leader Neil Kinnock says he won't see another Labour government in his lifetime

Former Labour party leader Lord Neil Kinnock has voiced his grave concerns that he will never see another Labour government in his lifetime.

Speaking on the BBC's Panorama programme, Lord Kinnock said Labour was facing its "greatest crisis" in the party's history.

He also warned against the reelection of Jeremy Corbyn in next weekend's leadership battle.

"Unless things change radically, and rapidly, it's very doubtful I'll see another Labour government in my lifetime," he said.

"Not just in my lifetime but stretching back to the 1930s, by any examination this is the greatest crisis that the Labour Party has faced."

Corbyn is currently competing for the Labour top job with former frontbench challenger Owen Smith, with the results to be announced on Saturday (24 September).

Speaking on Peston on Sunday this morning (18 September), Corbyn said: "Well I hope Neil can be a bit more optimistic. Britain is becoming a more divided country, greater inequality, greater poverty.

"I connect with them by saying do we want an education system that works for all or works for the few?

"Do we want an NHS that works for all or just for those who can't afford to go private? It's reaching out to the whole country – that's what we're offering."

However, whilst Corbyn has the support of the party's 600,000 members, 42 frontbenchers quit in protest at his leadership following the EU referendum in the biggest mass exodus in recent times.

Three-quarters of Labour MPs also backed a no-confidence motion in Corbyn's leadership.

Speaking on BBC Panorama, Unite chief Len McCluskey said some of the party's MPs have behaved "absolutely disgracefully" and have not "shown any respect" to Corbyn, saying "they should be held to account".