THE Barrow and Furness MP, who is a leading rebel Labour voice against Jeremy Corbyn's leadership, has said he could not show unity to someone who cannot convince the British people.

A defiant Mr Corbyn said he will not "betray" his supporters by resigning following an overwhelming vote of no confidence by MPs.

Sources said 172 MPs to 40 supported the no confidence motion, with four spoilt papers. But Mr Corbyn said the vote by the Parliamentary Labour Party had no "constitutional legitimacy" under party rules.

On Monday John Woodcock rowed with Mr Corbyn's aide in front of journalists gathered in Parliament's committee corridor over details being revealed from a "private" meeting.

Mr Woodcock said: “This vote shows that the overwhelming majority of MPs have lost confidence in Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership because they know he has no realistic chance of beating Boris Johnson or whoever emerges as the new Tory leader at this very worrying time for the British economy.

"It is no secret that I have always been sceptical of Jeremy’s leadership but the scale of this vote shows that many who were prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt have changed their mind having seen evidence that he sabotaged the referendum.

“I voted to ‘no confidence’ Jeremy after listening to views of local members at a special meeting last weekend and via email. Some still wanted him to stay but I was struck by how many had changed their mind and urged me to ask him to step down.

“Jeremy’s allies say we need unity – I understand that. But unity around someone who has no chance of convincing the British people just means perpetual Tory rule. We are in uncertain and troubled waters following the Brexit shock and the people of Barrow and Furness urgently need someone who is an effective leader of the opposition and credible future prime minister. Jeremy has indicated he will pay no attention to this severe loss of confidence in him so I hope someone emerges who will challenge him for the leadership.”

Another rebel, Labour Copeland MP Jamie Reed ‏tweeted: "80% of Labour MPs just gave a vote of no confidence in Jeremy Corbyn. That's not just a landslide it's an earthquake" and "A leader needs 95 MPs to run a front bench. You can't sail a ship without a crew."

Mr Reed has said that Mr Corbyn "failed" and that the Labour leader's Remain campaign effort was "catastrophic".

He said his West Cumbria constituents have expressed that they gave Mr Corbyn a chance, but now it is time for change as they want a leader who can win a general election.

Mr Reed also said Mr Corbyn's views are out of touch with Labour voters and others on issues such as Trident and combating terrorism.