MPs should spend less time talking to each other on Twitter and more time connecting with voters on Facebook, a senior Labour MP said today.

Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna said MPs needed to spend less time talking among themselves in the Westminster bubble on Twitter and concentrate of the social-networking site Facebook, which was used every day by many more voters.

Speaking at the Progress rally at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton, he said many voters were interested in politics but felt disconnected from MPs.

He said Twitter had actually harmed the relationship between MPs and the electorate.

Mr Umunna said: "I talk as somebody who tweets a lot, as you know, but let's face it, we're all talking to each other when we are on Twitter.

"We are all part of that same Westminster-media bubble when actually most people are on Facebook.

"How many politicians engage so much on Facebook? I mean, I am on it but I should be doing more on it."

Mr Umunna's comments echo those of a study which found large brands often prefer to use Facebook rather than Twitter to reach customers.