Pressure mounts for Jeremy Corbyn to resign

In the wake of UK's Brexit vote, several Labour Party politicians on Saturday called for party leader Jeremy Corbyn to step down, holding him responsible for a poor referendum campaign and labelling him incapable of winning a general election.

Leftist Corbyn, who has struggled to win full party support since taking over the reins of the party in September 2015, is due to give a speech about the future of his Party, Efe news reported.

He denied to local media on Friday that he planned to resign.

"I will carry on," Corbyn said.

"He clearly isn't the right person to lead the party to the next general elections because nobody believes he can win," Labour Party MP, Frank Field, said.

Former Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Chris Leslie, said Corbyn should "reconsider his position", calling for a vote of confidence regarding the leadership.

Dame Margaret Hodge and Ann Coffey MP also motioned a vote of confidence, suggesting Corbyn should step down following his poor role in the "Remain" referendum campaign, which secured only 48 per cent of the votes, versus the "Leave" camp's 52 per cent.

Chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party John Cryer must decide by Monday if he is to accept the petition for a vote of confidence.

If so, a parliamentary vote could take place on June 28.

According to parliamentary rules, a 50 per cent vote in favour of a motion of no confidence will trigger an official leadership challenge.

--IANS

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