A NORTH-EAST Labour MP vowed last night not to quit a pressure group condemned by Tony Blair as dangerously left-wing.

Helen Goodman, MP for Bishop Auckland, County Durham, is a member of Compass, which hit the headlines after it demanded a timetable for the Prime Minister to leave Downing Street.

The backbencher is writing a pamphlet for the group on the dangers of advertising of fatty foods aimed at children, and their link to obesity in young people.

Founded in 2004, Compass is also attempting to drive forward electoral reform, a better work-life balance and a narrowing of the gap between rich and poor.

But, last weekend, Downing Street sent out arch-Blairite John Reid, the new Home Secretary, to attack Compass as an "Old Labour lobby group".

The next day, Mr Blair warned that following its policy agenda would condemn Labour to certain defeat at the next General Election.

The Prime Minister told a Press conference: "If you go into an election with Compass, you will lose", although he conceded it had a right to debate alternative policies and ideas.

Last night, Ms Goodman vowed: "I will not be tearing up my membership card.

"I think Compass is a think-tank involved in generating interesting ideas and there needs to be a debate about long-term policy issues.

"For example, I know parents are very angry that the advertising of unhealthy food is directed at small children.

"The Prime Minister is entitled to his views, but I do not know how much he has followed what Compass promotes. Perhaps he has found out more in the last few days."

Ms Goodman is among about 40 Labour MPs who have joined the organisation, which has about 1,300 members in total.

Despite Mr Blair's warning about its left-wing stance, the keynote speaker at Compass's inaugural national conference was Chancellor Gordon Brown.

Other Cabinet ministers who have appeared at its events include Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander, Environment Secretary David Miliband and International Development Secretary Hilary Benn.

Ms Goodman declined to be drawn on when she believes the Prime Minister should stand down, but warned against open warfare in the party over the date.