Tristram Hunt tells university students: Labour is 'in the s***'

Former shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt has reportedly told students at Cambridge University the party is "in the s***''.

Addressing the university’s Labour club at an event entitled Principles, Politics and Pathway to Power, Mr Hunt spoke of his fears that it may become like "a sect".

“My fear is algorithmic politics [where because] everyone shares the same views as you on social media and in your social circles… you become a sect rather than a party", he said

According to the student newspaper Varsity, Mr Hunt, who ruled himself out of serving on Jeremy Corbyn’s front bench when he was elected leader, said he “is the leader until he is not”.

"The way you serve the Corbyn leadership is to be as dissenting and creative as possible", he said as he called for a "period of intellectual renewal”.

In a close to arms at the close of his speech, he said: "You are the top one per cent. The Labour Party is in the s***.

"It is your job and your responsibility to take leadership going forward."