More than 85,000 people have signed a vote of confidence in Jeremy Corbyn within hours of the form appearing online as he faces a leadership revolt from Labour MPs.

Supporters of the Labour leader rallied to his defence on the petitions site 38Degrees after members of the parliamentary Labour party (PLP) moved to oust him following what they saw as a lacklustre performance during the EU referendum campaign.

Britain voted to leave the EU on the narrowest of margins with 52 per cent of the vote.

Many of the regions opting for Brexit were in the heavily Labour dominated areas in the north of England and the West Midlands.

Former minister Dame Margaret Hodge tabled a motion of no confidence in the Leader of the Opposition, backed by Stockport MP Ann Coffey, ahead of the PLP meeting next week.

Dame Margaret told Sky News: "The European referendum was a test of leadership and I think Jeremy failed that test.

"He came out too slowly, he was very half-hearted about his attempts to campaign and Labour voters simply didn't get the message.

Corbyn says he won't resign

"I hope, in the context of a secret ballot, that there will be overwhelming support for this motion I am putting and Jeremy will do the decent thing and resign."

Other MPs, including former frontbenchers such as Rhondda MP Chris Byrant and Exeter’s Ben Bradshaw, have also called for him to stand down after the result which saw the resignation of David Cameron as Prime Minister.

Former Labour EU Commissioner, Lord Peter Mandelson, told the BBC on Friday morning that Mr Corbyn should “question whether he really has what it takes to lead the Labour party”.

EU referendum - in pictures Show all 18 1 /18 EU referendum - in pictures EU referendum - in pictures A woman in a wheelchair with British and European Union flags shows her support for the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union on the day of the EU Referendum in Gibraltar Getty Images EU referendum - in pictures A polling station being used in the EU referendum at Batley Town Hall in the constituency Labour MP Jo Cox PA EU referendum - in pictures People arrive to vote in the EU Referendum at the Library where British MP Jo Cox was shot and fatally wounded last week in Birstall EPA EU referendum - in pictures A man arrives to vote at a polling station for the Referendum on the European Union in north London REUTERS EU referendum - in pictures Voters queue to enter a polling station at Trinity Church in Golders Green in London Getty Images EU referendum - in pictures British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha Cameron leave after voting in the EU Referendum at Central Methodist Hall, Westminster Getty Images EU referendum - in pictures Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn cast his vote at a polling station at Pakeman Primary School in Islington Getty Images EU referendum - in pictures Chelsea pensioners arrive at a polling station near to the Royal Chelsea Hospital PA EU referendum - in pictures A woman wearing an "I'm In" t-shirt, promoting the official "Remain" campaign, leaves a polling station in London AFP/Getty Images EU referendum - in pictures People queuing outside a polling station on Amott Road in London PA EU referendum - in pictures Scotland's First Minister and Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), Nicola Sturgeon and her husband Peter Murrell, react as leave after casting their votes at a polling station at Broomhouse Community Hall in east Glasgow AFP/Getty Images EU referendum - in pictures A man wearing a European themed cycling jersey leaves after voting at a polling station for the Referendum on the European Union in north London REUTERS EU referendum - in pictures Ukip leader Nigel Farage arrives to cast his vote at Cudham Church of England Primary School in Biggin Hill, Kent PA EU referendum - in pictures Justice Secretary and prominent 'Vote Leave' campaigner Michael Gove poses with his wife Sarah Vine after voting in the European Union referendum at their local polling station in Kensington Getty EU referendum - in pictures Nuns leave a polling station after voting in the EU Referendum in London EPA EU referendum - in pictures People arrive to cast their ballots in the EU Referendum in Gibraltar. The United Kingdom and its dependant territories are going to the polls to decide whether or not the the United Kingdom will remain in the European Union Getty Images EU referendum - in pictures A man driving a van covered in stickers urging people to vote for the United Kingdom to remain in the European Union drives outside a polling station on the day of the EU Referendum in Gibraltar Getty Images EU referendum - in pictures A sign on a gable wall in Belfast's, Loyalist Tigers Bay urging voters to leave the EU using scripture from Revelation 18:4, as voters head to the polls across the UK in a historic referendum on whether the UK should remain a member of the European Union or leave PA

But the petition started by Dakota Rose, which has attracted 86,054 votes at the time of writing, said: “Make your voice heard against the Blarities and keep Jeremy as rightful leader of the Labour party”.

One user, Michelle W, said “The people chose Jeremy Corbyn, it should be their choice. Jeremy is our only hope for the future”.

Another petitioner said: “Don’t let the Blairities use the Brexit to oust Jeremy when it was the centre right and the far right that has caused this problem”.

Speaking to the BBC about the plot against Mr Corbyn, his right-hand man and Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said the motion of no confidence was just an expression of a point of view and he would win any new leadership contest.

He added that he believed there would be a new general election before the end of the year and Labour will be preparing for it.

A spokesman for Mr Corbyn acknowledged that the motion of no confidence had been discussed at the Shadow Cabinet in the morning but said he had no intention of stepping down.