Jeremy Corbyn refuses to resign after losing no confidence vote among MPs

Jeremy Corbyn has refused to resign after losing a vote of no confidence held by his own MPs.

The Labour leader lost the non-binding vote by 172 to 40, following calls for him to quit after the Leave vote in the EU referendum. There were four spoilt ballots and 13 did not vote.

But shadow chancellor John McDonnell warned Corbyn was “not going anywhere”, while Corbyn released a defiant statement, pointing out that Labour became the biggest party in last month’s local election in England, and that two thirds of Labour members backed the party’s stance in the EU referendum.

He said: “I was democratically elected leader of our party for a new kind of politics by 60 per cent of Labour members and supporters, and I will not betray them by resigning.”

Corbyn faced calls to resign after a spate of resignations over the weekend, including that of his shadow Scottish Secretary, Ian Murray, who is the only Labour MP in Scotland.

Margaret Hodge, the Labour MP who tabled the no confidence motion, described Monday’s Parliamentary Labour Party meeting as “extraordinary”.

She said: “I couldn't believe the strength of feeling, the overwhelming rejection of Jeremy as our leader, and the pleading with him that he should consider his position and go with dignity”.

Deputy leader Tom Watson is thought to have warned Corbyn he has lost the confidence of MPs.

But Corbyn said: “In the aftermath of last week’s referendum, our country faces major challenges. Risks to the economy and living standards are growing. The public is divided.

“The government is in disarray. Ministers have made it clear they have no exit plan, but are determined to make working people pay with a new round of cuts and tax rises.

“Labour has the responsibility to give a lead where the government will not. We need to bring people together, hold the government to account, oppose austerity and set out a path to exit that will protect jobs and incomes. To do that we need to stand together.”

Corbyn added: “I was democratically elected leader of our party for a new kind of politics by 60 per cent of Labour members and supporters, and I will not betray them by resigning. Today’s vote by MPs has no constitutional legitimacy.

“We are a democratic party, with a clear constitution. Our people need Labour party members, trade unionists and MPs to unite behind my leadership at a critical time for our country.”