Senior Labour figures warn: 'No-one likes us and we don't care'

Tensions are running high in the opposition after the Budget. Credit: PA

When Labour's senior team met today around the Shadow Cabinet table, it was never going to be a very friendly affair.

They'd spent the previous day arguing how to respond to the welfare changes in George Osborne's budget.

Acting leader Harriet Harman had indicated Labour should not oppose two of the measures: the lower benefit cap and the two children limit to child tax credits.

She says she didn't see the point in opposition for opposition's sake.

But three of the four contenders for the leadership (Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper, Jeremy Corbyn) did not agree.

Only Liz Kendall thought Ms Harman had a point and so Labour spent the day squabbling over the issue.

I'm told the atmosphere at Shadow Cabinet today was a painful affair.

Millwall fans are known to sing: 'No one likes us and we don't care'. Credit: PA

One of the Shadow Ministers spoke out and suggested Labour had become like Millwall Football Club: "No one likes us", the MP said, "and we don't care."

If that assessment of Labour's predicament wasn't bad enough, another senior member present said it was actually a bit worse: "Yes we are like Millwall Football Club," the MP said, "but everyone hates us and we don't care."

A long road to recovery?

You bet.