Labour rebels should 'shut up or get out', says Black Country MP

Senior figures are ready to strike if former home secretary Alan Johnson signals he is prepared to step into the breach, according to reports.

Dudley North MP Ian Austin has been named in reports as being among those who have called for Mr Miliband to go but he has not confirmed whether this is the case.

But Walsall North MP Mr Winnick told the Express & Star: "I don't know if anyone in the Parliamentary Labour Party is responsible for this nonsense but what I do say is that when we gather at our weekly meeting at the Commons at 6pm tonight, there will be some plain talking.

"I know that people in the party are sick and tired of this sort of nonsense , much of it got up by the national papers who are hostile to Labour. If there are one or two Labour MPs who are spreading mischief , the message is clear: shut your nonsense or get out."

Mr Winnick declined to comment on rumours that fellow Black Country MP Mr Austin is among the plotters hoping to oust their leader.

But he felt the revolt against Ed Milliband was not without its benefits.

Mr Winnick said: "One good thing has emerged from all of this, and it is that it will unite the party who will rally round him, and across the country Labour activists, councillors and other party members will be working hard to get him elected next May."

Shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt is alleged to have shared concerns about Mr Miliband's leadership in private conversations with colleagues, although he has denied this.

But backbencher Simon Danczuk has been rather more clear, saying: "It's clear that this great wishful rapport with the British public isn't happening - Ed is not popular.

"He's not a personality and he needs to recognise this and stop pursuing a suicidal strategy."

The fresh wave of criticism and plotting heaps further pressure on the embattled leader following a difficult week last week.

Some of Labour's most senior figures were forced to deny holding secret talks about what to do if Mr Miliband quit as party leader.

Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham and shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper dismissed reports they intended to present a joint platform in the event of a leadership vacancy.

Mr Miliband took to Facebook to insist he will lead Labour into the general election next May.

He wrote: "I relish the fight for the future."

Mr Hunt said last night: "This is total nonsense and untrue.

"As I made clear in a full round of media interviews on Friday, Ed Miliband is the right person to lead Labour and the right person to lead Britain.

"We are focused on the big issues that matter - the cost of living crisis, the NHS and ending the low wage, low skill economy.

"Labour is united under Ed Miliband's leadership."