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His MPs in some working class towns are at risk of being ousted, says a study.

Labour bigwigs had counted on Ukip eating into Tory support.

But Matthew Goodwin, of the University of Nottingham, warned Labour seats likely to switch to Ukip included the constituency of Shadow Women’s Minister Gloria de Piero in Ashfield, Notts.

Shadow Defence Minister Alison Seabeck, in Plymouth Moor View, and former minister Ian Austin in Dudley North are also both at risk.

Great Grimsby is a key target for Ukip, and Rotherham, where Ukip came second in a by-election in 2012, could also be lost by Labour.

Dr Goodwin said: “Labour is divided about how seriously it should take Ukip. Those in Ed Miliband’s team who cling to the misguided view that Nigel Farage’s party is not a threat should look at the Labour seats that are most vulnerable to this insurgency.

“The Labour seats that emerge as top prospects for Ukip share several features.

“They are typically over 95% white British, have large numbers of pensioners and voters with only GCSE or no qualifications, and in 2014 saw Ukip win the popular vote.”

Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls said it would be “very foolish” to write off Ukip.