A LABOUR MP has said that there is no going back to a “failed status quo” after numerous former Blairite politicians demanded a “fundamental change” in Labour’s direction.

In a letter published in The Observer, seven former MPs and four former parliamentary candidates said that they are “devastated” for their constituents who are “still struggling under a Tory government.”

They said: “It is our duty to speak up now, so that our leadership candidates keep these people at the heart of their campaigns to lead our party.”

The letter said that Labour received its worst electoral result since the 1935 general election because of a “focus on nationalisation” and “uncontrolled spending commitments.”

It also criticised “cronyism” at the top of Labour and what they called its “repeated unwillingness” to effectively tackle anti-semitism in the party’s ranks.

They inferred that Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn had a “reflexive anti-Western world view” which was received poorly by voters.

The signatories included former MPs such as Mary Creagh, Emma Reynolds and Anna Turley, who were all vocal anti-Brexit campaigners in staunchly pro-Brexit areas.

Stressing the “immense” challenges faced by the next Labour leader, the letter said: “We need to win 150 seats in every corner of the country, gaining votes from a coalition of communities.

“Labour needs to be in government — and for that, fundamental change at the top of our party is required. Only this will help us recover from the catastrophic loss of December 12.”

However, Labour MP Nav Mishra told the Morning Star: “There are many perspectives about what went wrong, and any review must be thoroughgoing, honest and self-critical.

“However, if one thing is clear, it’s that the British public no longer have an appetite for the politics of the failed status quo.

“Our economic policies seek to mend our grossly unequal society and improve the lives of millions, and are immensely popular with the public.

“The next decade will be defined by how we deal with the imminent climate catastrophe and the scars caused by austerity in our society.

“We can’t face these challenges by looking back to the past for answers that don’t apply to the here and now.”