Labour must ‘come together’ demands Jeremy Corbyn

Jeremy Corbyn video plea - credit Labour Party

The Labour Party must end a week of infighting by joining forces against the Conservative Government, its leader Jeremy Corbyn has demanded.

In a video sent to party members and posted on social media, Corbyn shrugged off a revolt which saw more than 60 of Labour's frontbench team resign and a motion of no confidence in his leadership backed by two thirds of the Parliamentary Labour Party.

In the same period party membership has increased by 60,000 and Corbyn has had the backing of some of Labour’s leading trade unions.

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“Only nine months ago I was elected leader of this party with 60 per cent of the vote. I have a huge responsibility and I’m carrying out that responsibility,” he said.

“I want to reach out to all our members, to all our supporters, to all our trade union affiliates and to my colleagues in parliament. Come together now to oppose this Tory Government.”

Speculation has mounted about a challenge to his leadership from a rival, but so far senior parliamentarians have only called for Corbyn to resign. They include former leaders Ed Miliband and Neil Kinnock and Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron.

Former Shadow Business Secretary Angela Eagle said today she intends to challenge him for the Labour leadership, but only if he doesn’t step aside.

“There are many people, MPs, party members up and down the country asking me to resolve this impasse, and I will if something isn’t done soon,” she said.

“I have the support to run and resolve this impasse and I will do so if Jeremy does not take action soon.”