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Ed Miliband 'facing calls to quit' Ed Miliband 'facing calls to quit'
(about 1 hour later)
Some Labour MPs have told the chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party that Ed Miliband should stand down, sources have told the BBC.Some Labour MPs have told the chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party that Ed Miliband should stand down, sources have told the BBC.
One backbencher said he had called for the leader to go, and had been told by a colleague that he had done likewise.One backbencher said he had called for the leader to go, and had been told by a colleague that he had done likewise.
Another said he was sure lots of MPs were making the same request of the PLP chair Dave Watts MP. Another said he was sure lots of MPs were making the same request of the PLP's chairman, MP Dave Watts.
Amid increasingly vocal discontent, Mr Miliband intends to attempt a fightback today. Amid increasingly vocal discontent, Mr Miliband intends to attempt a fightback later on Thursday.
It is understood his leadership was also openly questioned at a meeting of Labour MPs from the north west of England earlier this week.It is understood his leadership was also openly questioned at a meeting of Labour MPs from the north west of England earlier this week.
Sources say they discussed moving to a defensive strategy in a bid to hold onto their seats, rather than fight an offensive one aimed winning the election. Sources say they discussed moving to a defensive strategy in a bid to hold on to their seats, rather than fight an offensive one aimed winning the election.
'No distraction''No distraction'
One MP told me: "People were openly saying the leadership is failing this and we've got a problem winning seats in May."One MP told me: "People were openly saying the leadership is failing this and we've got a problem winning seats in May."
Another normally loyal backbencher said: "I think there's been a sharp downturn in mood over the last few days."Another normally loyal backbencher said: "I think there's been a sharp downturn in mood over the last few days."
There was a mood, the backbencher said, that "we just can't go on like this".There was a mood, the backbencher said, that "we just can't go on like this".
Ed Miliband is expected to directly address the criticism of his leadership on a regional visit later today. The New Statesman, which backed Mr Miliband's leadership campaign in 2010, published a critical article suggesting he "doesn't really understand the lower-middle class or material aspiration".
Mr Miliband is expected to directly address the criticism of his leadership on a regional visit later on Thursday.
Shadow chancellor Ed Balls dismissed reports of a plot to oust Mr Miliband, telling the BBC: "I think all this is nonsense, to be honest. I've no idea about any of this."
A Labour source said: "We have spent four years being united as a party in a determination to be a one-term opposition. We're not going to be distracted by noises-off now."A Labour source said: "We have spent four years being united as a party in a determination to be a one-term opposition. We're not going to be distracted by noises-off now."
I'm also told there was a social gathering of Labour MPs from the 2010 intake last night at which the leadership was discussed, although the group gather regularly.I'm also told there was a social gathering of Labour MPs from the 2010 intake last night at which the leadership was discussed, although the group gather regularly.
Privately some MPs are said to think the party is in "meltdown".Privately some MPs are said to think the party is in "meltdown".
Mr Watts did not respond to calls.Mr Watts did not respond to calls.
Critics and supporters of Miliband alike said they had no knowledge of a letter aimed at removing him. Critics and supporters of Miliband alike said they had no knowledge of a letter being circulated by backbenchers aimed at removing him.
One supportive shadow minister said: "I'm not aware of any letter and I'm not aware of any conspiracy."One supportive shadow minister said: "I'm not aware of any letter and I'm not aware of any conspiracy."
The shadow minister dismissed the criticism of Miliband, blaming "serial dissenters". He dismissed the criticism of Miliband, blaming "serial dissenters".