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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.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."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. 'Downturn in mood'
'No distraction' Sources say MPs from north-west England discussed moving to a defensive strategy in a bid to hold on to their seats, rather than an offensive one aimed at winning the election.
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 normally loyal backbencher told the BBC's Ross Hawkins: "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."
Analysis - BBC political correspondent Carole WalkerAnalysis - 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.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.""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.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.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.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.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". 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." And Labour peer Lord Soley has written an article urging the party not to wait "for the Tories to lose" next year's general election.
He added: "The problem is not so much individual policies as the lack of a vision and a sense of direction for the country combined with lack of clear leadership responsibility in the leader's office."
The BBC has learned the leadership was discussed on Wednesday, at a regular social gathering of Labour MPs from the 2010 intake.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.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". 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."
Another supportive shadow minister blamed "serial dissenters" for criticism of the party leader.
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.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.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".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".