Jeremy Corbyn has said he will “finish the job” as Labour leader despite the party’s humiliating by-election defeat in Copeland.
The Labour leader accepted he has not done enough to rebuild voters’ trust in Labour but insisted he will continue despite warnings the party will face a “catastrophic” defeat in the next general election.
An opinion poll this week revealed 34 per cent of Labour party voters said they were more likely to vote for the party if the Islington MP was replaced as leader.
The ComRes/Sunday Mirror poll was commissioned on Friday after the Conservatives snatched the Cumbrian seat of Copeland, which had been held by Labour since 1935.
The Tory victory in the constituency was also the first time a governing party had gained a seat in a parliamentary by-election since 1982.
Writing in the Sunday Mirror, Mr Corbyn said: “We haven't done enough yet to rebuild trust with people who have been ripped off and sold out for decades and don't feel Labour represents them.
"But if we stand together, I am confident we can do that and turn back the Tory tide.
"I was re-elected Labour leader five months ago with a bigger majority and I am determined to finish that job: to reconnect Labour with our working class voters and values so we can win power to rebuild and transform Britain, for the many, not just the few."
His comments come after Tom Watson, deputy Labour leader, said on Saturday it is not the time to replace Mr Corbyn as leader.
Both Mr Corbyn and Mr Watson called the Copeland result “disappointing”.
Labour were victorious in Stoke-on-Trent who held their seat with Ukip leader Paul Nuttall coming second.
Reporting by Press Association.
