Morecambe and Lunesdale MP Geraldine Smith said people in Lancashire were just as fed up with Labour as the voters of Glasgow.

She demanded a major cabinet reshuffle, saying that only four of the current top ministers deserved their seats at government's top table.

But the Labour MP stressed that it would be "madness" to ditch Gordon Brown, because there was no other Labour politician of high enough calibre to take over.

MPs have reacted with shock after Labour suffered the humiliation of losing the Glasgow East by-election to the Scottish National Party - the party's 25th safest seat in the UK.

Labour's 13,000 majority evaporated in a swing of more than 22%.

The result means barely any Labour MP can assume their seats are safe at the next election.

The shattering defeat has led to calls for a major change in both policy direction and for a slew of ministerial sackings.

Ms Smith was scathing of the government's top ministers, saying that Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was "struggling" and that only Jack Straw (Justice Secretary), Geoff Hoon (Chief Whip), Alistair Darling (Chancellor) and Des Browne (Defence Secretary) had performed well in their roles.

Ms Smith said: "I really do think it will be wipe-out unless they do get their act together.

"Part of me understands why people are so fed up of them. A few weeks ago they brought in the Equality Bill. That's not what people are worried about.

"It makes them look like they are doing their own pet projects."

She said groups of "plotters" had been seen during recent weeks in Westminster "huddling in corners" and that she had challenged them to name who could take over from Mr Brown.

'Fed up'

"I cannot see anybody better," she said.

She said that a "radical policy change" was needed from Mr Brown, including tackling oil company profits and corporate bonuses.

"He should be looking at things like council tax - doing something dramatic about that."

She added: "I think if we had a by-election in Lancashire people would be just as fed up. I do not think it is just Gordon Brown, they are fed up with Labour."

MPs across the Labour's northern heartlands have privately told the Lancashire Evening Post that they did not believe Gordon Brown should lead them into the election.

One said: "The only way back is to have a new leadership."

Another despondent MP said: "We are the fox being ripped apart by hounds from all directions."

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