Kezia Dugdale suggests it may be impossible for Jeremy Corbyn to continue as Labour leader

Kezia Dugdale - Credit: Holyrood

Kezia Dugdale has suggested it may be impossible for Jeremy Corbyn to continue as UK Labour leader, saying she "would not carry on in similar circumstances".

Dugdale’s comments came after the Labour leader lost a vote of no confidence among Labour MPs.

Speaking to the BBC, Dugdale suggested it would be impossible to lead without the support of the parliamentary party, saying she would resign if she was in Corbyn’s position.

RELATED CONTENT

SNP seeks to replace Labour as official opposition at Westminster

Nicola Sturgeon in Brussels to discuss options for Scotland

She said: “I would have to accept that, despite my own mandate of 72% from the party membership, if the overwhelming majority of Labour MSPs did not support my leadership, I would not be able to do this job effectively.

“Jeremy and I were elected leader of the UK and Scottish parties at similar times with similar mandates. We both have a job of uniting our parliamentary party to be an effective opposition and ultimately a party of government.

“I would not be able to do my job if I did not have the support of the parliamentary party, regardless of the mandate that members give me. Jeremy should reflect on the outcome of the PLP vote but I would not carry on in similar circumstances.”

Meanwhile the SNP is expected to make a bid to become the official opposition in Westminster today, after Corbyn lost a vote of no confidence by 172 to 40.

The SNP argues Parliamentary rules demand the opposition must be ready to assume power, and that Labour cannot meet this obligation.

Although Corbyn has reshuffled his Shadow Cabinet following a wave of resignations, a leaked party document seen by PoliticsHome shows he still has 40 vacancies to fill.

A senior party source said: "This shows the impossible challenge Jeremy now faces in forming a full opposition in parliament, whether or not he can cling on as leader."

Danny Blanchflower, the former Bank of England economist, yesterday announced he was standing down from Labour’s council of economic advisers.