Miliband plans to hit back at backbench dissent

It’s reported that a number of backbench Labour MPs have told the chairperson of the Parliamentary Labour Party that Ed Miliband should resign as leader (it looks as though, if these rumours are true, this is coming from two backbench MPs, but this is unconfirmed).

One backbencher reportedly told the BBC that “there’s been a sharp downturn in mood over the last few days…we just can’t go on like this”. This comes after poll ratings showed Miliband on -34% net satisfaction rating among voters.

However, Sky News have just run a story that Miliband – who is currently on a regional tour following a minor reshuffle yesterday – is going to deny these claims later this afternoon at a speech in the East Midlands.

A source within the Party 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.”

But, whether true or not, Miliband clearly does maintain support from many MPs.  One shadow minister dismissed the claims, saying: “I’m not aware of any letter and I’m not aware of any conspiracy.” Another, dismissed any potential criticism of Miliband as coming from “serial dissenters”.

Ed Balls also dismissed these rumours as “nonsense”, saying  that “it’s the Conservative party which are riven and divided and defecting, left, right and centre. Labour will stay united.”

We’ll keep you updated on any further developments.