Ed bows to union calls to cull Blairites: Two shadow ministers dumped from Labour leader's top ten after Unite leader demanded they go Labour denies they took orders from Unite over reshuffle But Stephen Twigg, Liam Byrne, Ivan Lewis and Jim Murphy demoted Unite boss demanded sacking of Twigg, Byrne and Murphy six months ago Labour last night denied that Mr Miliband had taken orders from Unite, which has given the party more than £9million since 2010 Labour MPs hailed a "new dawn for socialism" last night - as Ed Miliband bowed to union demands to crush the party's remaining Blairites. In a dramatic purge, education spokesman Stephen Twigg and work and pensions spokesman Liam Byrne were dumped from the Shadow Cabinet. Labour's defence spokesman Jim Murphy and international development spokesman Ivan Lewis were forced to accept humiliating demotions. The cull came six months after Unite boss Len McCluskey demanded the sacking of Mr Twigg, Mr Byrne and Mr Murphy. Labour last night denied that Mr Miliband had taken orders from Unite, which has given the party more than £9million since 2010. A Labour source insisted the party had "gone past the days of factionalism." But Tories said the reshuffle was evidence that Mr Miliband's union paymasters are calling the tune. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles posted an ironic tweet, saying: "Congratulations to Len McCluskey for his successful reshuffle of the Labour front bench." Tony Blair's former spin doctor Lance Price said: "There's no point pretending [the sacking of] Stephen Twigg, Jim Murphy and Liam Byrne doesn't send a strong message. It's a big mistake. The former Labour adviser Dan Hodges said the reshuffle would be seen as a "declaration of war" on the party's Blairites. He added; "Today was an exercise in naked power. Enemies were silenced. Debts repaid. Loyalty demanded. But left-wingers in the party were jubilant at the confirmation of Labour's change of direction. Veteran MP Paul Flynn said: "The twilight of the Blairites will lead to a new dawn for socialism." However a senior Labour source added: "Jim Murphy is still a member of the Shadow Cabinet. Liam Byrne and Stephen Twigg have got very important roles which they are very happy with. Unite boss Len McCluskey demanded the sacking of Mr Twigg, Mr Byrne and Mr Murphy earlier this year Mr Twigg is now spokesman for political and constitutional reform while Mr Byrne is higher education spokesman. Neither are Shadow Cabinet posts. Andy Burnham, who has been criticised over claims serious hospital failings were covered up when he was in charge of the NHS, is to continue as Labour's health spokesman. Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has attacked Labour's record over high NHS death rates. But yesterday Mr Burnham was offered a partial apology from Mr Hunt after a tweet which he had described as a "slur on his character." Mr Hunt claimed there was a "clear link" between political pressure by ministers while Mr Burnham was running the NHS and the failure to expose high death rates by the Care Quality Commission. But yesterday Mr Hunt, who had been contacted by Mr Burnham's lawyers, said he was not suggesting he was personally responsible for any cover-up.