I READ in the Echo (May 25) that former deputy prime minister John Prescott has decided to throw his weight behind Andy Burnham to replace Ed Miliband as Labour leader.

How strange that all of the contenders for the post, Messer’s Burnham, Yvette Cooper, Liz Kendall and Mary Creagh, who all stood shoulder to shoulder with Mr Miliband during Labour's ill-fated General Election campaign, now say how he got it all wrong.

Back stabbing is, as we know, all part of Labour's hall mark. After all, it was brother Ed who stabbed his brother David in the back to calm the leadership fight.

Now we have 'Two Jags' Prescott putting his considerable weight behind Mr Burnham - both left wingers. Oh what a mess this contest will become.

The Labour Party is so low in public opinion that it is very unlikely that whoever wins this leadership contest will have time in our lifetime to win back the public who kicked them into touch on May 5 this year.

And to add insult to injury, acting Labour leader Harman Harman, known in the election campaign for her pink battle van, has also changed her mind. She now supports David Cameron’s  in/out referendum on EU membership.

What levels will Labour politicians stoop to next?

John Merry, Darlington