News / Politics / News

Labour source: Miliband has to resign

Friday, 08 May 2015 3:27 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 08 May 2015 3:27 AM ]

Calls for Ed Miliband’s resignation as Labour leader is gaining momentum among party’s senior figures.

New reports say that with the shocking exit poll suggesting Labour party is on course to lose seats, party sources are already talking of his immediate resignation.

The sources speculate that Miliband’s Deputy Harriet Harman would be caretaker leader of the party. The sources said: “Ed has to resign tomorrow. Everyone here accepts that.”

According to The Guardian, one of the factors affecting whether Miliband would resign was the possibility of a second election. Senior party figures are concerned over whether there would be time to get a new leader in place if there was another contest soon.

But the temptation would be to replace him if a second election took place in more than a year’s time. Possible candidates include the shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, shadow Health Secretary, Andy Burnham, and shadow Business Secretary, Chuka Umunna.

Earlier, an exit poll showed British Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservatives are expected to win 316 seats but lack the required majority of 326.

The poll released by British broadcasters following a close-fought general election has put centre-left Labour on 239. It has also predicted 58 seats for the pro-independence Scottish National Party and just 10 seats for Cameron's current junior coalition partner, the Liberal Democrats.

Meanwhile, a second poll by YouGov has projected 284 seats for the Conservatives, 263 for Labour, 48 for the SNP and 31 for the Liberal Democrats. Polls suggest the Conservative will be the largest party in a hung parliament with Liberal Democrats enduring huge losses.

MH/MH

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk