What is really going on in politics? Get our daily email briefing straight to your inbox Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Britain now faces an economic and political crisis.

Since voters decided to leave the ­European Union, financial markets have been in a tailspin.

Threats to living standards have grown. The Prime Minister has announced his resignation, the country is divided and the Government is in disarray.

George Osborne has finally had to agree to ditch his job-destroying plan for a budget surplus, as Labour has been demanding.

But Tory ministers have no EU exit plan. Instead, they are threatening to make working people pay for their ­failures, with more spending cuts

and tax rises.

What’s needed now is leadership and a clear plan.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

We must respect the democratic ­decision of the British people – and negotiate a new relationship with the EU.

That has to be one that’s based on fair immigration rules, that protects jobs, living standards and workers’ rights and ensures we have the freedom to shape our own economy for the future.

The need to respect democracy also goes for the Labour Party.

(Image: PA)

I was elected nine months ago, by 60 per cent of Labour members and supporters, for a new kind of politics in a country that clearly wants real change.

During that time, Labour has ­repeatedly forced the Government to drop damaging policies, won every by-election with an increased share of the vote, and beaten the Tories in May’s local elections.

And in the EU referendum, while the country narrowly voted to leave, two thirds of Labour voters backed our call for a remain vote.

(Image: Getty Images)

I am ready to reach out to Labour MPs who didn’t accept my election and oppose my leadership – and work with the whole party to provide the alternative the country needs.

But they also need to respect the democracy of our party and the views of Labour’s membership, which has increased by more than 60,000 in the past week alone.

Our priority must be to mobilise this incredible force to oppose the Tories, and ensure people in Britain have a real political alternative.

(Image: REUTERS)

That is my priority and always will be as leader of our party.

Those who want to challenge my leadership are free to do so in a democratic contest, in which I will be a candidate.

But the responsibility of our whole party is to stand up in united opposition to the Tory Government – and in support of decent jobs and pay, affordable housing, rights at work and an economy that works for all.

It’s not just our own supporters who need Labour to work together.

The whole country needs Labour to heal the divisions of the referendum campaign and offer a winning alternative to the Tories at the next election – ­whenever it comes.