Labour is calling for constituents to be given greater powers to trigger by-elections if their MP defects from the political party whose banner they were elected under.

The defiant action comes in response to an eighth MP - Joan Ryan - quitting the party in protest at Jeremy Corbyn's leadership as she claimed Labour had become "infected" by antisemitism and had "aided and abetted a hard Brexit".

Under existing legislation, voters can call for a petition for the recall of their MP, but only under certain circumstances, including an MP receiving a jail sentence of a year or less.

A successful recall petition, which would trigger a by-election, must be signed by 10 per of constituents in any given area with six weeks.

But after the biggest schism in Labour since the formation of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 1980s, the party now wants to extend this legislation so that voters can start the process should an MP change the political allegiance under which they were elected.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Jon Trickett, said: "Power comes from the people but for too long the overwhelming majority have been shut out. That's why trust in politics and elites is rightly falling."

He continued: "Communities should not have to wait for up to five years to act if they feel their MP is not properly representing their interests, especially with the Fixed Term Parliament Act.

"This proposed reform has the dramatic potential to empower citizens and will be one of many measures the Labour Party is planning to consult on and announce that will change the way politics in this country is done."

Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Show all 12 1 /12 Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Change UK Details on the individual MPs are in the following photos Reuters Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Heidi Allen Anti-Brexit MP for South Cambridgeshire resigned from the Conservative party on February 20 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Chuka Umunna MP for Streatham since 2010 and prominent People's Vote supporter PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Anna Soubry The prominent anti-Brexit MP for Broxtowe resigned from the Conservative party on February 20 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Luciana Berger MP for Liverpool Wavertree since 2010, resigned from the Labour Party over bullying and anti-semitism PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Sarah Wollaston Anti-Brexit MP for Totnes resigned from the Conservative party on February 20 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Joan Ryan MP for Enfield North resigned from the Labour party on February 19 citing its tolerance of a "culture of anti-Jewish racism" PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Ann Coffey MP for Stockport since 1992 Chris McAndrew / UK Parliament Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Gavin Shuker MP for Luton South since 2010 Getty Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Chris Leslie MP for Nottingham East since 2010 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Mike Gapes MP for Ilford South since 1992 PA Which MPs defected to form Change UK? Angela Smith MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge since 2010

It follows a surprise press conference on Monday during which the MPs Chuka Umunna, Gavin Shuker, Mike Gapes, Chris Leslie, Luciana Berger, and Ann Coffey, and Angela Smith announced their resignations from the Labour Party - but refused to cave in to demands to hold a by-election in their constituencies.

Speaking just hours after joining their ranks on Wednesday, Ms Ryan delivered a withering attack on the Labour leader, telling the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "I can no longer ask people to vote for Jeremy Corbyn to be prime minister of this country because I don't believe he is fit to be the prime minister of this country."

She said that Mr Corbyn has "introduced or allowed to happen in our party this scourge of antisemitism", adding: "It has completely infected the party and at every opportunity to deal with it he has not done so.