SHELL shocked North-East MPs highlighted everything from the SNP and Ed Miliband’s out-of-touch advisers to lavish Tory spending, to explain Labour’s defeat.

As they licked their wounds, the MPs also spoke of the need for policies and language that connect better with “ordinary working people”.

And there was fear for the future of a party stunned by its failure. One MP warned of the danger of a “nervous breakdown” that would leave the battlefield clear for the Conservatives.

Many MPs spoke off the record, one criticising the “London clique” around Ed Miliband which failed to consult with experienced politicians, used to winning votes street-by street.

This was epitomised by the much-lampooned headstone, into which Labour’s key pledges were carved - to be put up in the Downing Street garden, if Labour won.

Mr Miliband was also criticised for failing to defend Labour’s record in Government, which allowed the Tories to lay the blame for the financial crash and anger over immigration.

Some MPs did go on the record. Helen Goodman, the Bishop Auckland MP, said: “The Tories have a lot of money from dubious sources which they ploughed into their wholly negative, scaremongering campaign.

“And, until Ed was on telly, a lot people didn't see how good he is and were stuck with stereotypes painted by the right wing papers, but unfortunately it was too late.

“I think we had good policies, but didn't always communicate them in language that made their relevance to peoples' lives immediately obvious.”

Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald was among those who pinpointed the Conservatives’ remorseless claims that a Labour-led Government would be dominated by its SNP partner.

He said: “Rampant nationalism was played for all it's worth by the Tories who are content with their English focus and anti-Scottish rhetoric.

“Add to that UKIP blaming the foreigner and the EU for all ills and you've got a very nasty cocktail.”

Phil Wilson, the Sedgefield MP, said: “There is no doubt that the myth the Tories peddled that Labour would go into Coalition with the SNP had an effect in marginal seats.”

And Easington MP Grahame Morris said: “The mainly Conservative-supporting right wing press ran a sustained and deeply personal campaign of vilification and character assassination against Ed Miliband.

“This undoubtedly had an effect on the electorate. The Tory scare stories about Labour deals with the SNP was happily played out in the national press and gained some traction on the doorstep."