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Defiant Ed Miliband hit back at his doubters today – refusing to accept his leadership was in danger as a poll put Labour four points ahead of the Tories.

Dismissing claims that at least two backbenchers have told Parliamentary Party chairman Dave Watts it was time for a new leader, Mr Miliband said: “This is nonsense. My focus, the Labour party’s focus, is on the country and the things that matter to the country.

“It’s the cost-of-living crisis, the NHS, the prospects for the next generation.”

Mr Miliband will be buoyed by the Daily Mirror’s poll putting Conservatives on 27% (down 4 points on last month), Labour on 31% (no change), Lib Dems on 9% (+2) and UKIP on 24% (-1).

His allies hope the figures will boost morale, battered by his dismal conference speech, collapse of Scotland’s Labour vote and some of the lowest ever personal ratings in some disastrous polls.

Ed Balls leapt to his defence, denying a letter was circulating calling for a change.

The Shadow Chancellor said: “It’s the Conservative party which is riven, divided and defecting, left, right and centre. Labour will stay united.”

But privately Labour MPs could not hide their dismay. One shadow minister said: “Everybody is talking about how sh** he is.”

Another Labour MP admitted there was no letter calling for the leader’s head, but added: “I wish there was.”

The bad feeling was partly stoked by Mr Miliband’s reshuffle which promoted “mates” Lucy Powell and Jon Trickett.

But outside the party, the Fabian Society’s Andrew Harrop said Mr Miliband’s unpopularity wouldn’t necessarily stop Labour winning.

He said: “Ed is a hindrance to the party’s success, but people are still saying they prefer a Labour government to a Conservative government in the polls.”

Ex-Gordon Brown spin doctor Damian McBride said, despite Mr Miliband’s claims MPs weren’t out to get him, his team was full of “paranoia”. He said: “The mood’s pretty black.”