LABOUR PARTY members poked fun at former frontbencher Tristram Hunt yesterday after the one-time shadow education secretary claimed the party was “in the shit.”

It wasn’t the first time Mr Hunt got himself in trouble with Labour voters — last year the then shadow cabinet member crossed a picket line during a lecturers’ strike at Queen Mary University of London.

Historian Mr Hunt was speaking at an event at Cambridge University last week when he told students: “You are the top 1 per cent.

“The Labour Party is in the shit. It is your job and your responsibility to take leadership going forward.”

He also pointed out that Jeremy Corbyn “is the leader until he is not.”

Young Labour member Max Shanly told the Star: “Tristram’s comments must have been taken out of context, no serious politician in a party of labour would ever consider the rule by a tiny elite legitimate, would they?”

Mr Hunt also criticised social media activism for turning his party into a “sect” — but Twitter users quickly hit back.

Author and Labour supporter Harry Leslie Smith wrote: “Funny I spoke at Cambridge last week about how it’s the 99 per cent that should run Labour and the country.”

And Chris Down tweeted: “Tristram Hunt joining Simon Danczuk on the list of MP’s people frequently ask: ‘Why are they in the Labour Party again?’ ”

joanaramiro@peoples-press.com