Ladbrokes turn up the heat on Miliband ahead of the next election

Ed Miliband’s leadership qualities have been called into question by senior Labour Party figures recently and Labrokes have cut their odds of the Doncaster North MP being replaced before the next election.

The Leader of the Opposition is now 4/1 (from 9/2) to suffer the embarrassment of losing Labour’s top job before he has a chance to lead his party to the ballot box.

Former Deputy Leader Lord Prescott has increased the pressure on Miliband to deliver a stronger message and encouraged him to dispose of under-performing shadow cabinet ministers.

And Labour peer Lord Glasman has also waded into the argument by stating in an interview with The Mail on Sunday that “It’s time for Ed Miliband to show he is a grown-up politician big enough to lead this country.”

Recent figures also make bad reading for a politician who is now 14/1 (from 16/1) to be replaced as Labour leader in 2013.

A ComRes poll awarded Miliband an approval rating of minus 28 points, a fall of 17 points since May and just one better off than Prime Minister David Cameron.

There are some positives though. Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna has attempted to rally behind his leader by highlighting the “huge progress” made by the party since Miliband took the helm.

However, the rising star and 8/1 outsider for the party leadership could well find himself in charge of sustaining any momentum should the gamble on him land.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper remains the 5/2 favourite to succeed Miliband.

But one of Labour’s most unpopular leaders in recent memory shouldn’t be too disheartened. He’s still available at 4/6 to be Prime Minister before 2020 as his party continue to hold a 10 point poll lead over the Conservatives.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing

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