Jonathan Ashworth MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister Without Portfolio, responding to a letter written by Conservative MPs about the Conservative Party leadership, said:

“Whatever happens tonight the British public will want to be assured the Government is focused on jobs, living standards and public services. But this letter exposes the reality that David Cameron and the Conservative Party are now utterly preoccupied with leadership infighting rather than the future of the country.

"What’s more this letter cannot unsay what senior Tory politicians have been telling us for weeks - that the British people simply cannot trust David Cameron.

"The truth is this is a desperately weak and divided Government unable to provide the leadership the country needs.”