Corbyn vows to remain Labour leader after no confidence vote

Labour MPs voted by 172 to 40 for the motion, tabled by backbencher Margaret Hodge.

Mr Corbyn has faced calls for his resignation over his role in the EU referendum. He publicly backed the Remain campaign but MPs including Mrs Hodge accused him of a “half-hearted” effort to keep Britain in the bloc.

He is now under intense pressure after a mass walk-out by Labour shadow cabinet members over the weekend.

But the no confidence vote has no formal status under Labour rules and Mr Corbyn said in a statement that he will not resign. His opponents will have to mount a formal leadership bid if they want to remove him – which will be decided by grassroots activists whose votes swept Mr Corbyn to the leadership last year.

‘Betray’

Responding to the vote, he said he would “not betray” ordinary Labour members by resigning.

He said in a statement: “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. Since I was elected leader of our party nine months ago, we have repeatedly defeated the Government over its attacks on living standards.

“Last month, Labour become the largest party in the local elections. In Thursday’s referendum, a narrow majority voted to leave, but two thirds of Labour supporters backed our call for a remain vote.

Our people need Labour party members, trade unionists and MPs to unite behind my leadership at a critical time for our country. Jeremy Corbyn

“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.”