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Prescott slams 'failing' Labour

Ed Miliband has faced another attack from a senior Labour figure as a new poll suggests his popularity among voters is at an all-time low. Lord Prescott said the shadow cabinet had "massively failed" to get its message across under his leadership.

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Report: Labour plotting to lower voting age to 16

Ed Miliband addressed teenage pupils at Blatchington Mill School in Hove last month. Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Labour have reportedly drawn up plans to lower the voting age from 18 to 16 in an attempt to capture more support.

The Sunday Times said Labour's shadow minister for London, Sadiq Khan, had prepared the key reform, which could be introduced for the 2020 election if the party return to power in 2015.

Former Miliband guru tells Labour leader to grow up

Lord Glasman received his peerage from Ed Miliband, but has sharp words for the Labour leader. Credit: Lucy Ray/PA Archive

Ed Miliband has also faced renewed criticism from one of his former political gurus, who said the Labour leader currently appeared too immature to lead the country.

Academic Lord Glasman, writing in the Mail on Sunday, said: "At the very time when Labour should be showing the way ahead, it gives the impression of not knowing which way to turn."

Lord Glasman, who has written critically about Mr Miliband before, added "When the Labour battle bus should be revving up, it is parked in a lay-by of introspection. It is time for Ed Miliband to show he is a grown-up politician big enough to lead this country."

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Prescott tells Miliband to turn hairdryer on Labour team

Lord Prescott has urged Ed Miliband to adopt the scare-tactic approach of former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson with under-performing members of his shadow cabinet.

If shadow cabinet members aren't pulling their weight, give them the hairdryer treatment and kick 'em out.

Time is running out. We can still turn it around and win in the second half. But we need the very best team, week in, week out.

– Lord Prescott, writing in his column in the Sunday Mirror

Read: Ed Miliband pelted with eggs during south London walkabout

Miliband at new low as Prescott slams failing Labour

Ed Miliband remains the least liked of the three party leaders among polled voters despite Labour remaining their favoured party. Credit: Joe Giddens/PA Wire

Ed Miliband has faced another attack from a senior Labour figure as a new poll suggests his approval rating is at an all-time low.

Former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott has said the shadow cabinet had "massively failed" to get its message across and urged Mr Miliband to get tougher with under-performing shadow ministers.

A ComRes poll for The Independent on Sunday and Sunday Mirror showed just 22% thought Mr Miliband was doing a good job compared to 50% who did not - an approval rating of minus 28.

That is despite Labour gaining a point on 37%, compared to the Conservatives' unchanged score of 28%.

Read: Lord Prescott responds to Miliband egging

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