Corbyn resists calls to resign

Labour defeated in Copeland, a seat the party had held since 1935

Jeremy Corbyn is resisting calls to consider his position after Labour crashed to a humiliating defeat in the Copeland by-election.

MPs warned the party was on course for a “catastrophic” general election defeat after the Conservatives snatched the Cumbrian seat which had been held by Labour since 1935.

The Labour leader said the result was “very disappointing” but made clear he was determined to carry on.

He told reporters: “I was elected to lead this party. I am proud to lead this party.

“We will continue our campaigning work on the NHS, on social care, on housing.”

One leading trade union figure warned Mr Corbyn he had to “turn things around” and show he could deliver a Labour government.

Following a tumultuous night, a jubilant Theresa May travelled north to Copeland to hail an “astounding” victory for Tory candidate Trudy Harrison.

Her triumph was the first gain for a governing party in a parliamentary by-election since 1982.

Ms Harrison polled 13,748 votes to 11,601 for Labour’s Gillian Troughton, increasing the Conservative vote share by more than 8% as Labour’s dropped by nearly 5%.

The Prime Minister told cheering supporters: “What we have seen from this victory is that this truly is a Government that is working for everyone and for every part of the country.”

There was some consolation for Labour in Stoke-on-Trent Central, where it saw off a concerted challenge from Ukip leader Paul Nuttall – albeit with a reduced majority.

But there was despair among MPs at the defeat in Copeland, with John Woodcock, MP for neighbouring Barrow-in-Furness, warning the party was heading for disaster at the general election.

Defiant: Jeremy Corbyn.