Speaking to the Today programme Des Browne said –

“Clearly it was a bad night for us - we have to take events like this, very, very seriously.

“We are trying to deal with the long-term problems [of the economy] - we need to build up on that and respond to people’s needs - at the same time we need to emphasise strong leadership.

“We do need to listen and we do need to respond to people and the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis.

“We need to work on this over the summer and come out the other side renewed and refreshed.”

Speaking in support of Labour’s leader, Des Browne said the party must unite behind him -

“I believe he is the man to see us through these tough times - he has done it twice before as Chancellor - we need to unite behind this man’s leadership.”