Red-faced Ed’s battle to survive

Leadership challenge likely after worst result for 28 years

ED Miliband faced a battle to survive as Labour leader last night after exit polls suggested he had led his party to its worst result in decades.

The broadcasters’ poll suggested Labour would take just 239 seats, 19 down on Gordon Brown’s tally five years ago.

If the survey is borne out, it would be Labour’s worst result since 1987 under Neil Kinnock, with Mr Miliband’s party left with 77 fewer seats than the Conservatives.

The calamitous result was made worse by a near wipe- out in Scotland, according to the exit poll, putting put Mr Miliband under huge pressure to resign as Labour leader.

Blairites in his party, who have kept their counsel in recent years, can now be expected to make their move and bid to put in a less leftwing leader more palatable to the electorate.

Last night, key Blair ally Lord Mandelson said it was ‘very difficult’ to see how Mr Miliband could be Prime Minister based on the exit poll. But the Labour peer said a defeat for Mr Miliband may not spell the end of his leadership, adding: ‘He has performed magnificently during this campaign.’

The Blairites supported Mr Miliband’s brother David for the leadership five years ago – and they believe he would have been much more

‘Has to go if

we lose’

likely to have taken Labour to victory. One of the frontrunners to take over the leadership is Chuka Umunna, Labour’s business spokesman. Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper may also throw her hat into the ring, as may health spokesman Andy Burnham.

Last night, Labour sources were casting doubt on the exit poll, saying: ‘We are sceptical of the BBC poll. It looks wrong to us.’

Deputy leader Harriet Harman said the Tories’ legitimacy was in doubt. ‘Their majority for their coalition, according to the exit polls, is right down,’ she told the BBC. ‘The question is whether or not they would command a majority … And if they don’t then it will fall to the Leader of the Opposition.’

Asked if she thought Mr Miliband’s leadership would be questioned, she said: ‘At this stage we’re just waiting for the counts and seeing whether or not David Cameron has got a House of Commons voted in which is prepared to give him a majority.’

Another post- election survey, by YouGov, was not as bad for Labour, giving them 263 seats – 21 behind the Tories. A Labour source said: It’s been close all the way through – and exit polls have been wrong in the past … The Coalition came into the election with a majority of 73 and even if the BBC exit poll is right, that has been all but wiped out.’

Before the election, Mr Miliband told friends he wanted five more years as Labour leader – even if he did not make it to No 10.

He wants to emulate his mentor Neil Kinnock, who did not stand down in 1987 despite a heavy defeat at the hands of Margaret Thatcher – and resigned only after taking his party to a second loss, to John Major, five years later.

Mr Miliband is said to want to ‘do a Kinnock’ because he believes he is building a long-term vision that deserves more time to succeed.

He has made it known he will not go quietly and has told friends his personal sacrifices … mean he has earned the right to a second chance.

A Shadow Cabinet source told the Mail last year: ‘There’s lots of talk about who should replace Ed if we lose, but it all misses [that] he has got no intention of going. Ed believes he’s given up too much, including his relationship with his own brother, just to quit after one election defeat.’

But some Labour frontbenchers are horrified at the suggestion Mr Miliband would stick around.

One told The Guardian: ‘Ed really cannot stay on if he loses – that really would not work.’ Another said: ‘He has to go if we lose.’