JEREMY CORBYN’S economics general ordered Dan Jarvis back to barracks yesterday after the paratrooper-turned-MP made a pre-emptive strike for the Labour leadership.

Richard Murphy, the brains behind “Corbynomics,” launched a lightning counterattack to Mr Jarvis’s address at the Blairite think tank Demos, which was widely interpreted as a declaration of war on Mr Corbyn.

In a provocative speech that will stir up unrest within the party, Mr Jarvis set out a battle plan for a future Labour government and its economic strategy.

And he did not disappoint the audience of Westminster insiders waiting to see some friendly fire.

In a barely concealed criticism of Mr Corbyn, the backbencher said people “want to vote for a party that doesn’t just oppose the government.”

Mr Jarvis overlooked the three defeats the government suffered in the Commons and Lords within an hour on Wednesday.

Instead he took aim at shadow chancellor John McDonnell.

In reference to Labour’s New Economics public lecture tour, he sniped: “People I meet … don’t attend economic seminars.”

The speech was designed to boost the backbencher’s intellectual credentials after suggestions that he is an economic lightweight.

Mr Jarvis started his speech with his military service, which saw him serve tours in Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Afghanistan.

His journey from the trenches of Helmand to the green benches of Parliament is seen as his strongest asset in any leadership bid.

But Mr Murphy argued tht Mr Jarvis’s experience in the army did not necessarily mean he had political leadership skills.

He said: “When you’re on the front line your job is to accept the status quo — what you are told …the meaning of which will all too often not be explained to you.

“But that is the army and Mr Jarvis is now a politician.

“These [comments] don’t sound like the basis for a sound political strategy in a democracy. Nor do they suggest that Mr Jarvis has a plan.

“They just say that he’s willing to stand before the troops thinking he’s the man to follow and because he’s got the right pips on his shoulder.”

Finally, Mr Murphy blasted: “The country is not like the army. I’m not sure Dan Jarvis has worked that out yet.”

Mr Jarvis also came under fire from Labour economic advisory panellist Ann Pettifor.

“For too long Labour has underestimated the public’s big concerns about economics,” said the five-star economist.

“While most people do not attend seminars, this does not mean that they do not get the nature of the global financial crisis and the impact of austerity on their own lives,” Ms Pettifor continued.

“In the past, when Labour demanded that finance should be servant, not master of the British economy, it mobilised large numbers of the British public in support.”

Mr Jarvis put the party on red alert when he banked a £16,800 donation from millionaire hedge fund manager Martin Taylor last month. 

Only a month earlier he had accepted £12,500 from businessman Peter Hearn, who gave £75,000 to Yvette Cooper during last summer’s Labour leadership contest. 

But the Barnsley Central MP could have competition from within the ranks of Labour’s right after Chuka Umunna yesterday registered a £25,000 donation from Sir David Garrard.

Momentum organiser James Schneider said yesterday he was confident Mr Corbyn would lead Labour into the next election.