Jeremy Corbyn says it's not 'inevitable' he would stand down as leader if Labour loses next general election

'The party members control what happens. They will decide, one way or another'

“Any Labour leader who loses an election usually goes,” John McDonnell has previously said (Getty)

Jeremy Corbyn has indicated he could stay on as Labour leader, even if the party suffers a defeat at the next general election.

Labour’s Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell, however, has previously said he and his long-time political ally would resign immediately if Labour loses the next general election. “Any Labour leader who loses an election usually goes,” he said.

But speaking to the Huffington Post UK, Mr Corbyn rejected Mr McDonnell's suggestion that it was “inevitable” both of them would step down if Labour lost the general election.

“Look, nothing is inevitable,” said the Labour leader. “And let's not start predicting the results of the next general election, which may be four years away.” Asked if he would step down if poll ratings do not improve and Labour loses council seats, Mr Corbyn said: “The party members control what happens. They will decide, one way or another.”

While there is no obligation to stand down, the last time the leader of either of the main parties lost a general election and continued to lead was in 1987. When Neil Kinnock eventually resigned, after a second defeat in 1992, he was succeeded by his Shadow Chancellor, John Smith. However, it would be unusal for a party leader to promise to stand down ahead of a contest, as they would be openly admitting they might lose.

“You talked about polls, that’s fair enough. Yesterday there were a number of [council] by-elections. Labour gained in Newcastle-under-Lyme with a 19 per cent swing to Labour, we lost one in Nottinghamshire narrowly to Ukip, gained the other from Ukip, and a big swing to Labour in a by-election in Brighton yesterday on a pretty substantial turnout for a local election,” Mr Corbyn added.

Responding to criticism of his leadership style, Mr Corbyn added: “The idea of the be-all, know-all, see-all, do-all, control-all leader is something that is not very happy or healthy in a democracy. It is about communities and people.”

Last week Mr Corbyn, who is currently engaged in a leadership contest to retain his position as leader and fend off his challenger Owen Smith, set out a 10-point vision for the future of Britain and vowed to inject £500bn into infrastructure, full employment and one million new homes.