Britain’s Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn refused to resign after losing a vote of no confidence Tuesday.
An overwhelming 172 members of parliament rejected Corbyn’s leadership while only 40 backed him, the BBC reported. The non-binding vote will likely force a formal leadership contest.
"I was democratically elected leader of our party for a new kind of politics by 60 percent of Labour members and supporters, and I will not betray them by resigning. Today's vote by MPs has no constitutional legitimacy," Corbyn said in a statement.
"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," he added.
Labour MP Wes Streeting told the BBC that Corbyn should accept that "his leadership is untenable" following the "unprecedented" vote.
Corbyn has lost more than 20 members of his shadow cabinet following the United Kingdom’s Brexit vote.
