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Miliband dismisses MP criticism claims as 'nonsense' | Miliband dismisses MP criticism claims as 'nonsense' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Ed Miliband has dismissed reports of unrest among Labour MPs over his leadership of the party as "nonsense". | Ed Miliband has dismissed reports of unrest among Labour MPs over his leadership of the party as "nonsense". |
Some backbenchers have told the chairman of the parliamentary party that he should stand down, sources say. | Some backbenchers have told the chairman of the parliamentary party that he should stand down, sources say. |
It is understood his leadership was questioned at a meeting of Labour MPs from north-west England this week. | |
But, speaking on a visit to Northamptonshire, Mr Miliband said: "We remain focused on this country and how we can make this country work again." | But, speaking on a visit to Northamptonshire, Mr Miliband said: "We remain focused on this country and how we can make this country work again." |
He told the BBC: "I don't accept that this matter (concern over his leadership) arises." | He told the BBC: "I don't accept that this matter (concern over his leadership) arises." |
Mr Miliband added: "Honestly, this is nonsense." | |
Sources say MPs from north-west England 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 the BBC's Ross Hawkins: "People were openly saying the leadership is failing this and we've got a problem winning seats in May." | One MP told the BBC's Ross Hawkins: "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." | |
Analysis - BBC political correspondent Carole Walker | |
The mood among Labour MPs is grim indeed. "We can't just carry on like this", one former minister told me, though others believe it is unlikely there will be a serious attempt to unseat Ed Miliband before the election. | |
"There's no-one to ride to the rescue," another said, pointing out that former Home Secretary Alan Johnson was not willing to stand. Another said: "No-one would be stupid enough to move now." | |
But there is no disguising the scale of the concerns. | |
The complaints are many and varied. Some on the right of the party say their leader has no hope of appealing to Middle England; others on the left say he should abandon austerity and reverse coalition cuts. | |
There are complaints about Mr Miliband's office, described as "dysfunctional" and "remote from the real world". Some are concerned the party lacks pithy policies to sell on the doorstep. | |
For all the talk of possible leadership challenges, most are focusing their energies on the battle to hold on to their own seats. | |
The New Statesman magazine, 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". | The New Statesman magazine, 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". |
But 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." | |
The BBC has learned the leadership was discussed on Wednesday, at a regular social gathering of Labour MPs from the 2010 intake. | |
But critics and supporters of Mr 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." He dismissed the criticism of Miliband, blaming "serial dissenters". | One supportive shadow minister said: "I'm not aware of any letter and I'm not aware of any conspiracy." He dismissed the criticism of Miliband, blaming "serial dissenters". |
Mr Miliband completed a mini-reshuffle of his team on Wednesday, following the resignation of Jim Murphy as shadow international development secretary to run to be Labour's leader in Scotland. | |
He was replaced by transport spokeswoman Mary Creagh, who in turn was succeeded by Michael Dugher, a close ally of Mr Miliband. | |
In Parliament, House of Commons Leader William Hague said Mr Miliband had "had a reshuffle in order to forestall a coup" and suggested the party's election guru, David Axelrod, who helped Barack Obama win the US presidency, was "losing patience with them". |