Ed Miliband will never become a “towering leader” and Ed Balls’ economic policy is “frankly pathetic” says Michael Meacher, one of Labour’s longest-serving MPs and a former leadership contender, in the most outspoken attack yet on the Labour leadership.

Mr Meacher, who served in government under Wilson, Callaghan, and Blair, called for “a commanding narrative".  “I’ve been saying this over and over again to Ed Miliband and Ed Balls,” he added.  He questioned the motive behind Labour’s promise to freeze fuel prices for 20 months: “That’s a tactic, not a policy.” 

At the Cambridge student open meeting last night, the left-of-Labour MP drew attention to old Party divisions, which he claimed were still prevalent.  Of the more right-wing Labour faction, Progress, Mr Meacher said plainly: “They have to be defeated.  If they have their way, I don’t see any change.”  

He called Labour’s relationship with the unions “our weakest link…It’s utterly tragic.”  “The unions are an integral part, and they should play a key role in planning the economy and delivering.”  This comes after last year’s allegations Unite Union rigged nominations for Falkirk’s Labour candidate, and is poignant given the aborted attempt to limit the unions’ influence over the Party. 

Mr Meacher was a recognised critic of Blair despite working in his government, and entered the Labour Party leadership race against Gordon Brown in 2007.  From his current back-bench position, he reflects the views of a significant number of his Labour colleagues. 

Last year, Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham said that Labour must “shout louder and speak in a way that captures how people are feeling and thinking.”  Former Chief Whip, George Mudie MP, voiced concerns that Labour "are hesitant, confused and I’m worried about that.”  He went on to accuse Ed Miliband of “always being cocooned by people round him.”  “He is young…I think he’s still trying to find himself.” Labour peer Sir Glasman also lamented that Labour “gives the impression of not knowing which way to turn.”  These concerns reflect the findings of a recent Ipsos MORI poll, showing a 6% decrease in public understanding of what Ed Miliband stands for. 

While likening George Osborne to “one of those First World War generals who tells the troops to go over the top and sees them get shot,” Mr Meacher would not talk at length about Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls as he said he would become “disparaging”. “His [Ed Balls’] policy of cutting far less, far sooner, is frankly pathetic.  The fact is the Tories have a macro-economic policy.  We do not.” 

Mr Meacher’s comments come just days after a YouGov poll which reveals just 6% view Ed Miliband as “strong”, and only 4% think he is a “natural leader".  Despite this, it shows Labour has a four point lead over the Conservatives with 16 months until the General Election. 

It remains to be seen whether Mr Meacher’s unprecedented sleight of Labour leadership and direction is an expression of general discontent, or just a rogue back-bencher barracking at the back.