MPs vote against Corbyn leadership 172-40

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn faces leadership challenge after majority of MPs vote for a motion of no confidence. Rick Findler/PA Wire

A leadership contest will now be held and with a challenger needing the backing of 51MPs to get on the ballot paper.

A Labour source said it is unlikely that a candidate will be put forward this evening while MPs spend the next few days mulling over who is the best person to attempt to topple Mr Corbyn, who has been in place since September 2015.

Mr Corbyn’s performance during the European referendum campaign led to many of his MPs criticising his command of the party and more than 40 members of the shadow cabinet have resigned since Monday.

However in a statement released this evening Mr Corbyn confirmed he will not stand down as he does not want to let down all of those who voted for him last Atutumn.

He said the vote had no constitutional legitimacy.

He 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. 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.

“I was democratically elected leader of our party for a new kind of politics by 60% 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.”