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Labour figures have reacted with dismay to Jeremy Corbyn’s insistence that Labour “won the argument” despite shedding 59 seats at the general election .

The party leader was under mounting pressure to quit quickly after he apologised but insisted he was "proud" that Labour's policies were popular with the public.

He also said he would "take my responsibility" for the heavy defeat which was the party's worst seat tally since 1935.

Today Mr Corbyn, who has said he'll resign after a leadership election early next year, issued an updated video that said "I take full responsibility for the result" but slammed "gutter" media attacks and added: "Our time will come."

But Labour MP Margaret Hodge, a long-term critic, branded it "denial" while colleague Harriet Harman said: "This shows no willingness to understand why Labour suffered this catastrophic defeat. Jeremy Corbyn should resign."

MP Darren Jones added: “We failed our party, our people and our country. I want to talk about the future and we’d better get to it quickly.”

He went on: “We can’t just say we’ll tax more and pay for more stuff.

"We need to stimulate growth in profits and pay. We need to invest to transform and reduce the cost of public service delivery.”

Writing in the Observer, Mr Corbyn insisted: “I am proud that on austerity, on corporate power, on inequality and on the climate emergency we have won the arguments and rewritten the terms of political debate.

"There is no doubt that our policies are popular, from public ownership of rail and key utilities to a massive house-building programme and a pay rise for millions.

"The question is how can we succeed in future where we didn’t this time?”

One furious Labour figure told the Mirror the piece was "possibly the worst-judged thing" written on the leader's behalf.

And long-time backbench critic Wes Streeting tweeted: “‘We won the argument’ is the most insulting response to the worst election result since 1935 that any of us could imagine.

"Go. Now. Every Tory policy over the next five years has been enabled by Corbynism.”

(Image: FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA/EPA-EFE/REX)

MP Karen Buck added: "We didn’t win the election. Which means we didn’t actually win the argument. I think we had it mostly right on these issues but that’s not enough if we can’t take people with us and put policy into practice."

It came as a Labour source flat denied a claim, reported by the Sunday Times, that Mr Corbyn said "oh well" when the results rolled in on Friday morning. "He didn't say that," the source said.

Today Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell took the blame for the stunning defeat, claiming: “It’s on me. Let’s take it on the chin. I own this disaster.”

Apologising to Labour MPs who lost their seats, he said: "If anyone’s to blame it is me. Full stop."

However he added "I do blame the media" which "did a number on Jeremy for four years solid, every day", leaving him “demonised in a way no other politician on this scale has been done before.”

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Mr McDonnell denied trying to "fix" the party in his image for the coming leadership election but added "I'm not going to be going away" - saying he'd work on issues including climate change.

Unite union general secretary Len McCluskey also told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I'm saying that we need to reflect. But the policies of a socialist alternative, a radical alternative are popular. We need to make certain that we continue.

"All of Labour's policies were extremely popular. The problem is that, yes, when they were put together, there was a question of credulity. Could Labour really deliver all of this?

"And as regards Jeremy, there's no doubt that it became an issue on the doorstep, because, of course, for the last four years, every single day, he has been attacked massively in a way that no politicians have by the media."

He added: "If I have to say this a thousand times,. I will, do. Brexit was the reason for this defeat."

(Image: Leon Neal)

Jeremy Corbyn loyalists have mounted a campaign since Friday to ensure Labour's radical left-wing manifesto policies are not jettisoned by a future leader.

A senior figure handed internal polling to the Mirror showing members of the public backed hiking income tax on the rich, ramping up infrastructure and nationalising railways, energy and water.

The YouGov poll of 1,598 people for Labour, dated November 7-8, claimed 46% thought it was acceptable to spend more on infrastructure with 28% saying unacceptable.

Jeremy Corbyn's letter in full Dear Sunday Mirror readers, I will make no bones about it. The election result on Thursday was a body blow for everyone who so desperately needs real change in our country. To every single person who voted for the Labour Party – everyone who shared the hope that Britain could be a fairer country that works for the many, not the few – I say thank you, from the bottom of my heart. And to the Sunday Mirror and its readers, your support has been such a source of strength. I wanted to unite the country that I love but I’m sorry that we came up short and I take my responsibility for it. I remain proud of the campaign we fought. I’m proud that no matter how low our opponents went, we refused to join them in the gutter. And I’m proud that our message was one of hope, rather than fear. Millions of people saw in our manifesto a better future for themselves and their communities. Our policies to protect the NHS, end austerity, invest in every part of our country and tackle inequality, were popular with voters who saw through a ferocious smear and fear campaign against us. But despite our best efforts, this election was ultimately about Brexit. The Tory campaign, amplified by most of the media, managed to persuade many that only Boris Johnson could “get Brexit done.” That will soon be exposed for the falsehood it is, but in this election it overpowered our attempt to reach across the divide and bring our country together We will learn the lessons of this defeat, above all by listening to those lifelong Labour voters who we’ve lost in working class communities. This party exists to represent them. We will earn their trust back. Make no mistake: Labour is the greatest force for progressive change this country has ever known, and although this wasn’t our moment, our time will come again under new leadership. We will never give up on the commitment and determination to build a fairer and more decent society.

It said 60% support and 23% oppose higher income tax on £80,000 earners while 64% back and 20% oppose a new 50% tax rate on £123,000 earners.

Defeated candidate Caroline Flint said Mr Corbyn’s successor should not be “Corbyn with a beard” or any figure “who has had a hand in our Brexit strategy over the last few years”.

Shadow Justice Secretary Richard Burgon revealed he was backing Shadow Business Secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey for leader and was considering a tilt for the deputy job himself.

Lisa Nandy was preparing to throw her hat into the ring for the leadership, saying she was “seriously thinking about it”.