If the Labour party goes back to reasserting its socialist and democratic beliefs, that's where I belong Shirley Williams

After the news conference, four Labour MPs called at Dr Owen's home to express their support for the Council for Social Democracy. They were Ian Wrigglesworth, John Roper, Mike Thomas and Robert MacLennan. More Labour MPs are expected to come out in support in the next few days.

In an interview on the BBC's Panorama programme, Mrs Williams said she had become increasingly disillusioned with Labour. She had fought from within to "save" the party for several years - but felt she was fighting a losing battle.

Mrs Williams said: "We have to say now we think the character of the party has changed so far it will take something very exceptional, something really out of the ordinary line to make us be convinced there's a chance of winning back the party.

"We would like to do so. We would like to think there could be a miracle of that sort but I have to say that we are very pessimistic at the present time."

She accused left-wingers like Tony Benn and Eric Heffer of undermining the concept of parliamentary democracy.

Mrs Williams said the gang of four would all prefer to stay within the Labour party - but if they were thrown out, then they would seek to establish their own party.

She added: "If the Labour party goes back to reasserting its socialist and democratic beliefs, that's where I belong."

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