Jeremy Corbyn explains why he is staying as Labour leader and offering peace deal to rebel MPs

'I was elected nine months ago, by 60 per cent of Labour members and supporters, for a new kind of politics in a country that clearly wants real change,' says Jeremy Corbyn

(PA)

Jeremy Corbyn says he will stay on as Labour leader out of respect for the internal democracy of the party and the views of its membership.

Mr Corbyn has said he is offering a peace deal to the rebel MPs so the party can unite and offer the "alternative the country needs" to the Conservatives.

After Britain voted to the leave the EU, the nature of Mr Corbyn's leadership during the campaign has come under heavy criticism. Hilary Benn was sacked from the Shadow Cabinet following reports he was talking to colleagues about trying to remove the party's leader, which in turn sparked the resignation of various cabinet members.

In addition, a motion of no-confidence in his leadership was tabled by Labour MPs Margaret Hodge and Ann Coffey.

Despite losing the vote by 172-40 on 28 June, Mr Corbyn declared his intention to continue as leader.

He wrote in the Sunday Mirror: "I was elected nine months ago, by 60 per cent of Labour members and supporters, for a new kind of politics in a country that clearly wants real change.

"During that time, Labour has ­repeatedly forced the Government to drop damaging policies, won every by-election with an increased share of the vote, and beaten the Tories in May’s local elections.

Mr Corbyn, who has represented Islington North since 1983, warned members of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) that he would take on any challengers in a democratic contest.

He reminded critics of the 60,000 people who have joined the party following the attempted coup against him and their importance in any leadership election.

Mr Corbyn said: "I am ready to reach out to Labour MPs who didn’t accept my election and oppose my leadership – and work with the whole party to provide the alternative the country needs.

"But they also need to respect the democracy of our party and the views of Labour’s membership, which has increased by more than 60,000 in the past week alone.

"Those who want to challenge my leadership are free to do so in a democratic contest, in which I will be a candidate."

The Labour leader reaffirmed the priorities of the party as becoming a "united opposition" to the Conservative Party, fighting for the an economy for all and winning the next general election.

He said: "The responsibility of our whole party is to stand up in united opposition to the Tory Government – and in support of decent jobs and pay, affordable housing, rights at work and an economy that works for all.

"It’s not just our own supporters who need Labour to work together."

A new YouGov poll found increasing concern amongst Labour members about Mr Corbyn’s leadership, there is little support for any of the alternative candidates vying to topple him.

While a slim majority of Labour members would like to see Mr Corbyn step down before the next general election, a similar majority is also supportive of him staying on for now.