LONDON (Reuters) - British opposition Labour lawmaker Angela Eagle said on Sunday she wanted to lead the party into the next national election and was challenging leader Jeremy Corbyn for his job to try to unite the party.
Corbyn has refused to resign following Britain's vote to leave the European Union, despite mass defections from his policy team and a no-confidence motion passed by an overwhelming majority of MPs in his own party.
Eagle, who has said she will formally launch a leadership challenge on Monday, said Corbyn had lost the confidence of Labour MPs and has not been able to communicate effectively with voters.
"There could easily be a very quick general election and I believe I'm the right person to lead the party into that general election," she told ITV (LON:ITV).
"This is a battle for a healed and a united Labour Party and a strong opposition to make our democracy work."
