DOWN AND OUT
Balls, Clegg and Miliband punished at the polls
LABOUR was plunging into a bloodbath of recriminations today as crushed leader Ed Miliband prepared to quit.
There were calls from modernisers for a complete change of direction after the party was annihilated in Scotland, undermined by Ukip and failed to make the expected gains in England.
“Can’t say that Labour leadership weren’t warned repeatedly — those who even bothered to meet, that is,” said backbencher John Mann. “Never hurts to listen.”
Former Cabinet minister Peter Hain said there had been “a big, big revolt against the political class”, and “Labour has to learn the lessons from that”.
He added: “This is devastating for us in Scotland, where an avalanche happened and swept us aside.”
Former Cabinet minister Jack Straw said Mr Miliband should consider his position after presiding over a “depressing” performance.
Staff spoke of being “shell-shocked” and horrified by the results. “We simply didn’t see this coming,” said one aide as the promised victories failed to materialise.
There were rumours of top-level resignations in the party’s central London headquarters, with the “leadership team” of officials alleged to be standing down. This was denied by offic ial sources.
Mr Miliband effectively conceded defeat at his local count in Doncaster. And he signalled his resignation by saying sorry to his party.
“This has clearly been a very disappointing and difficult night for the Labour Party,” he said.
“We have not made the gains we wanted in England and Wales, and in Scotland we have seen a surge of nationalism overwhelm our party.
“I want to say to all the dedicated and decent colleagues in Scotland who have lost their seats that I am deeply sorry for what has happened.”
A source said he was working on a statement that he would deliver at lunchtime. The source did not deny it would probably be a formal resignation as party leader.
A shattered-looking Mr Miliband was applauded by staff as he went into party HQ at 9.30am where he thanked his team and discussed how to handle his midday announcement. A staffer said: “It is very emotional here.”
Runners and riders for the Labour leadership are expected to include rising star Chuka Umunna, the shadow business secretary, Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, and Andy Burnham, the shadow health secretary. Liz Kendall and Dan Jarvis may also have a go.
Sadiq Khan is expected to run for Mayor of London after masterminding the campaign in the capital, which was more successful than in other regions.
The biggest shock of a night and morning of horrors for Labour was shadow chancellor Ed Balls losing in Morley & Outwood. Ukip appeared to have eaten deeply into his support, winning nearly 8,000 votes.
After a recount, the Labour heavyweight — Gordon Brown’s former righthand man — saw his slim 2010 majority of only 1,101 evaporate. The Tory can-
‘A big, big revolt against the political class. Labour has to learn the lessons from that’
Peter Hain
didate won by a mere 422 votes. Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy was ousted in East Renfrewshire as the SNP swept the board, winning nearly every seat in Scotland.
Mr Murphy admitted it was an “enormous” moment for Nicola Sturgeon’s party after losing the seat which he had held for nearly 20 years, clinching 1 9, 2 95 vot e s to t he S NP ’s Ki rs t e n Oswald 23,564.
Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander was another high-profile Labour casualty, losing in Paisley and Renfrewshire South.
In London, Labour won a string of seats from the Conservatives including Ilford North, Enfield North, Brentford & Isleworth and Ealing Central & Acton, as well as gaining three seats from the Liberal Democrats.
The part y cl a i med s o me scalps including employment minister Esther McVey in Wirral West and George Galloway in Bradford West. Mr Galloway was reported to the police for retweeting an exit poll before voting ended.