Further discontent as Carswell hints at Labour defection

This week has been a tough one for the Labour leadership with a less than impressive victory in the Heywood and Middleton by-election. Although Miliband has attempted to take this problem head on – in a speech on Friday and in an Observer article today – the papers today are suggesting that there’s still discontent in the party ranks.

The Mail on Sunday is carrying an article from former MP for Thurrock – Andrew MacKinlay – who has said that Miliband’s leadership is a ‘complete disaster’ and has called for him to stand aside.

There’s also unsettling rumours coming from Ukip’s first MP, Douglas Carswell, who won the Clacton by-election last week. He told the Sunday Times (£): “A member of the parliamentary Labour party called me this morning and we had a chat about them coming over. It’s looking very promising.” He reiterated this warning on the Andrew Marr show this morning.

Harriet Harman, however, said this morning on the Andrew Marr show that there is no “wobble in the ranks.”

Meanwhile, Miliband’s article in the Observer shows an effort to stave off these negative comments. He lays out a clear path for Labour’s immigration policy. But he also admits he knows “there is much work to be done to make this happen – work I am determined we will complete over the next seven months.”

Changes within the Labour leadership are likely to take place in the coming week, as it’s rumoured there will be a reshuffle. We’ll keep updated as and when the news breaks.