John Prescott's urban regeneration plans threaten 400,000 homes across the North and the Midlands, and up to 25 Labour candidates think the party will lose votes as a result.

The group of outgoing MPs are reported to have complained to Prescott's department that "Pathfinder" plans to demolish large areas of Victorian terraces are insensitive and unpopular.

Philip Woolas, deputy leader of the House of Commons, has admitted that the plan to demolish 550 homes in his constituency is "losing me votes".

The criticism of the plans follows concerns already expressed by an all-party select committee, the head of English Heritage and members of the government's former urban task force.