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Tom Watson: I WON’T be running in the Labour leadership contest

It comes after the embattled Labour leader suffered a defeat yesterday when members of the parliamentary party voted against him in a no confidence motion – by a margin of 172 to 40.

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British Prime Minister David Cameron Wednesday told the leader of the main opposition Labour party Jeremy Corbyn, who is facing a revolt from MPs, to step down in the national interest.

However, Labour MPs say that they have received a flood of messages from members who voted for Mr Corbyn who now want him to go.

“His position can not and should not be challenged except through the proper democratic procedures provided for in the Party’s constitution”, the statement said.

There is widespread Labour unease that if a snap election is called once the current shambolic state of Westminster is addressed, contesting it with Mr Corbyn in charge could prove fatal for the opposition party.

Criticising Corbyn’s role in the European Union referendum campaign, Cameron during a regular weekly exchange in Parliament said, “It might be in my party’s interest for him to sit there, it’s not in the national interest and I would say, for heaven’s sake man, go”.

A left-winger, Corbyn was elected past year by an overwhelming majority of party members and supporters, but his support was very shallow among lawmakers.

While Jennie Formby, of Unite the Union, said that it was “ridiculous” to blame Corbyn for the referendum result, Dave Ward – the Communication Workers Union general secretary – said the Blairite virus was “spreading again and we need to top-up the antidote”.

But a letter today signed by three senior Labour MSPs in Scotland says the behaviour of agitants will “break the hearts” of party members.

An emotional and angry Dame Margaret told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to see the Labour Party in this position”.

“For the benefit of our party, for the benefit of Labour voters, for the benefit of all those millions who need a Labour government.your resignation can not come soon enough”.

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Corbyn, a veteran hard-left Labour MP, commands strong support among party activists who helped him clinch a surprise victory in a leadership contest held a year ago. Bookmakers have her as the favourite to take over, followed by deputy leader Tom Watson. Yvette Cooper, who came third behind Andy Burnham and Cobryn in the 2015 leadership contest, has also failed to rule out a bid.

BRIGHTON ENGLAND- SEPTEMBER 27 Margaret Beckett speaks during a session entitled'Rebuilding Our Party during the first day of the Labour Party Autumn Conference