Labour supporters do not believe Ed Miliband is fit to be PM, poll shows

The blow came as rumours of a frontbench plot to oust the leader continued

Unless Ed Miliband agrees to “English votes for English laws”, the Tories will put the issue at the heart of their election manifesto (Getty Images)

Support for Ed Miliband is plummeting even among his party’s supporters, according to a new poll that found only a third of Labour voters thought he was fit to be Prime Minister.

It comes as rumours circulated that 20 shadow ministers are poised to call for his resignation and back the former Home Secretary, Alan Johnson, to head the party for the general election.

A YouGov poll for the Sunday Times found that only 34 per cent of people who voted Labour at the last general election believe Mr Miliband is up to the job of Prime Minister, compared to 51 per cent just a month ago.

Out of those surveyed, 42 per cent said he was not fit to lead the country and a further 45 per cent said he should resign.

At least 20 Labour shadow ministers are prepared to push for a change in party leadership, according to The Observer, which reported that rebels wanted an immediate replacement rather than a potentially damaging leadership contest.

A senior figure told the paper: “There are 20 frontbenchers who are actively considering what is best to do. They are from all areas of the party, bar the hard left.”

Alan Johnson is rumoured to be the favoured replacement for Ed Miliband (Abbie Trayler-Smith)

“There is a significant number of frontbenchers who are concerned about Ed's leadership - or lack of leadership - and would be ready to support someone who is a viable candidate,” one frontbencher told the newspaper.

“Alan is that candidate. If Alan indicated he would do it, there would be a massive move.”

But Mr Johnson told the Sunday Times that standing as Labour leader was a “definite no-no” and he was supporting Mr Miliband.

“I am not keen to do it,” he said. “We can win with Ed as leader and I can help him do that.

“That is why I'm staying on because there is a lot to be done and there is hope for the future if we can regain the trust of the British people."

If Mr Miliband were replaced by Mr Johnson or Chuka Umunna, the popular shadow business secretary, Labour’s four-point lead over the Tories would double, according to a Survation poll for the Mail on Sunday.

Tristram Hunt, the shadow Education Secretary, is alleged to have voiced concerns about Mr Miliband's leadership in private conversations with colleagues, according to the newspaper.

Shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt denied making the comments (AFP)

It reported him as saying: ”I never believed the answer to Labour's problems was to show people more of Ed Miliband. It was a ridiculous idea dreamed up by his advisers who have served him badly.

“It has been a complete failure. It is making things worse, not better. Ed has excellent qualities but that is not the way to show them. It is absurd.”

Mr Hunt said the report was “total nonsense and untrue”, claiming Labour was “united under Ed Miliband’s leadership”.

Labour backbencher Simon Danczuk fuelled the flames with a comment piece in the Mail on Sunday saying it was “clear” that Mr Miliband was not popular with the public.

“He's not a personality and he needs to recognise this and stop pursuing a suicidal strategy,” he wrote.

Criticising the growth of “presidential politics” in the UK, Mr Danczuk supported Mr Milband’s leadership but called for “team politics” with strong shadow ministers in the foreground.

The fresh wave of criticism and alleged plotting heaps further pressure on the embattled leader at the end of a difficult week.

Andy Burnham, the shadow Health Secretary, and shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper dismissed reports they intended to present a joint platform in a leadership election and other senior figures were forced to deny holding secret talks.

On Facebook, Mr Miliband insisted he would lead Labour through May’s general election, adding: "I relish the fight for the future."

Additional reporting by PA