Embattled Ed Miliband will come out swinging today in a speech on Europe designed to stem the onslaught of internal attacks by putting the spotlight back on Tory division. 

In an address to the CBI business lobby, Labour’s leader will accuse Prime Minister David Cameron of putting millions of jobs at risk by “flirting” with an EU exit.

Mr Miliband will also try to rally supporters behind him by pledging a recovery package that “works for everyone and not just a few.”

But Labour figures who support an EU referendum told the Star that Mr Miliband has picked the wrong issue on which to make a stand. 

His attack on Tory EU threats comes 10 days before the Conservatives take on Ukip at the Rochester and Strood by-election — a poll they’re expected to lose. 

And it follows Chancellor George Osborne’s capitulation to European Commission demands for extra cash on Friday despite weeks of tough talk. 

Mr Miliband will say that the £850 million payout shows that “trying to use exit as a threat has simply weakened our influence.”

And the Labour leader will argue that it’s the effects of globalisation rather than EU membership which have ruined the chances of the next generation. 

Setting out his alternative, he will say: “We must change fundamentally the way our economy works so that it meets the basic aspirations of the British people for good jobs at decent wages, proper opportunity for the next generation, and a country that is seen to be fair.”

His speech at the CBI’s annual conference in London could prove to be crucial after a mooted coup by senior MPs steamed ahead yesterday. 

Three Labour MPs gave anonymous briefings to a Sunday newspaper claiming that 20 shadow ministers are prepared to call for Mr Miliband to stand down. 

Labour for a Referendum director Brendan Chilton warned that such clear disunity is a disaster so close to a general election. 

But he told the Star: “The bottom line is that when Labour candidates up and down the country are on platforms facing Ukip, Tory, Green and Lib Dem candidates, Labour will be the only party sitting on the fence over the issue of a referendum and it doesn’t look very good. 

“A lot of Labour candidates are concerned.

“The leadership’s current stance is not in tune with what the majority of people are thinking.” 

The Morning Star revealed at the weekend how Labour deputy chief whip Alan Campbell is believed to be the ringleader of the coup.

Parliamentary sources said he had been seen canvassing MPs to sign a petition calling for Mr Miliband to step down just six months before the general election. 

The Star also named MPs Ian Austin, Michael Dugher and Simon Danczuk as probable agitators for Mr Miliband to be replaced by former home secretary Alan Johnson. Those allegations were confirmed at the weekend.

And front-bench Labour MP Lucy Powell, who was promoted to vice-chair of Labour’s general election campaign last week, hit back at her leader’s detractors on Radio 5 Live.

“Either show us your colours and put names to quotes or let’s just move on and have a different conversation,” she said.