GWENT MP Nick Smith is the latest to resign from Jeremy Corbyn’s front bench.

Blaenau Gwent MP Nick Smith said “matters have gone too far” and has called for a fresh leadership ballot within the Labour party.

In a statement released this morning, Mr Smith said he was afraid for the future of the party with Corbyn as leader.

He said: “It is clear to me that you do not have the leadership skills needed.

“You have failed to hold together your own top team in the shadow cabinet. What was a broad based and talented team could not work with you. 75 per cent of the PLP do not support you.”

Mr Smith joins Caerphilly’s MP Wayne David and Torfaen’s MP Nick Thomas Symonds who both resigned from Labour’s shadow cabinet.

Yesterday Islwyn MP Chris Evans called for the Labour leader to resign.

Mr Smith was a shadow minister for food, farming and rural affairs.

Alun Davies, AM for Blaenau Gwent, said he supported Mr Smith's decision.

Mr Davies said: "It is clear that Jeremy Corbyn does not have the support of Labour MPs and I believe that his position is now untenable.

"My experience of knocking doors and canvassing in Blaenau Gwent tells me that this view is shared by most people in the borough.

"We now need a strong leader who can take on the Tories and lead Labour back to government - that's what unites the party, supporters and voters."

Mr Smith's letter to Jeremy Corbyn read: “Dear Jeremy, thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve as a Labour front bench spokesman.

“I served because I see you as a decent man with a strong mandate.

“I am a Labour party man. I’ve been a member since I was a boy and a former party staff member.

“I have always thrown myself into serving our Party with every fiber of my being. I have supported our leadership through thick and thin.

“Now though I believe matters have gone too far.

“I believe we should have a fresh Leadership membership ballot.

“Jeremy, I am afraid for the future of our Party with you as Leader.

“If the Labour Party is not as strong as possible then we cannot stand up for our constituents. It will not be able to introduce the policies of fairness and social justice which my constituency of Blaenau Gwent so badly needs.

“Losing last week’s Euro referendum will have a massive impact on my constituency. Blaenau Gwent needs a strong Labour leadership to win a general election.

“It is clear to me that you do not have the leadership skills needed.

“You have failed to hold together your own top team in the shadow cabinet. What was a broad based and talented team could not work with you. 75 % of the PLP do not support you.

“Having witnessed your party and campaign management I do not think you have the skills needed to deliver a winning general election.

“Therefore, I am sorry to say that I am resigning my position on the Labour front bench.

“I have tried to speak to you personally so that I can let you know my views privately first of all, but your office have not got back to me.

“Jeremy, we need to put our party on a firmer footing. We need unity. A leadership election, and an honest assessment of what our country needs in this time of crisis, is what is necessary.”