Miliband sets out his stall
James Forsyth 1:53am
Forget anonymous quotes, we now have a David Miliband op-ed to analyse. In a 900-odd word Guardian article explaining why he believes that “the times demand a radical new phase” in the New Labour project Miliband does not mention Gordon Brown once. (Interestingly, Jack Straw is the only Labour politician Miliband name-checks ). Indeed, the article takes several not-so-subtle shots at the Prime Minister. For instance, Miliband concedes that “With hindsight, we should have got on with reforming the NHS sooner” when everyone knows that it was Brown who blocked NHS reform. In a supposed dig at the Tories he declares that “in government, unless you choose sides, you get found out” but many will take this as a criticism of Brown’s dithering. Miliband also states that the “economic challenge is new” implying that Brown’s experience on this front is not as valuable as leadership loyalists say it is.
The Miliband camp clearly feels the need to show that this time—unlike last time—Miliband has the cojones to go for it hence today’s aggressive move and the stories making clear that James Purnell would support Miliband rather than stand himself. The question now is how will the other possible contenders and the Brown camp respond to this piece?
To my mind, there are four things to watch for over the coming days:
There isn’t much substance to the Miliband piece but the Foreign Secretary clearly intends to portray himself as the youthful candidate who can reinvigorate the project, the so-called Milibama strategy. The game is afoot and Miliband is, evidently, determined to be a player.1). Is Miliband forced into doing a series of interviews to declare his loyalty to the PM?2). If he is not that will suggest that Brown’s authority is so diminished that it is open season. If other possible leadership contenders rush into print to set out their own ‘visions’ for Labour then Brown’s authority will be further undermined by the impression that a leadership contest has started while he is still in the job.
3). Will a negative, hard-hitting Sunday newspaper story about Miliband appear? If so, it will show that the Brownites intend to fight and fight hard. It is hard to imagine the Brownites, veterans of party infighting, surrendering meekly.
4). Is Brown forced into abandoning his plan to say nothing while he is on holiday? If he is, then expect a slew of stories about a last ditch effort by the PM to regain his authority.
Previous
Silent Hunter
July 30th, 2008 2:30am Report this commentYeah?
Well read the comments MilliVanilliBland is getting; changing to 'him' as Leader will do absolutely nothing to improve Labours chances at the next election.
Let's face it people.........Labour are going down BIG TIME at the General Election, even if they had God, Allah and Yahweh in the cabinet.
Labour are T O A S T !
a j scott
July 30th, 2008 6:38am Report this commentThis Labour leadership "contest" sounds like the Phony War, and the "candidates" have the same level of experience of reality.
Travis Bickle
July 30th, 2008 8:21am Report this commentYoung David is getting absolutely trashed by, I assume, Labour supporters on the Gruniad CIF website.
Perhaps they'll get it now, nah.
Tory Lion
July 30th, 2008 8:28am Report this commentDoes Miliband really want to take control now and tarnish his credentials in what will almost certainly be a heavy loss at the next general election?
It may be a wiser option to push forward one of the old dogs of the party to take the fall and then grab power in the aftermath.
torylion.blogspot.com
Edward Rivers
July 30th, 2008 8:58am Report this commentMiliband is neither a like able nor qualified character for the job. Before Brown's governement Miliband was only Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Hence why no one really knows who he is or what he is really about. If Miliband wants to takeover the steering of Labour's sunkenship he is welcome to it, but it will do his political career and Labour's election dreams no good what so ever.
Nicholas
July 30th, 2008 10:06am Report this commentThe overwhelmingly negative comments to this article, many of them from Labour party members or supporters, say it all. The level of contempt and vitriol for New Labour is quite remarkable. We need a General Election, not another party leadership election, and we need it NOW!
Ted Tedford
July 30th, 2008 10:21am Report this commentMiliband's article was more of the same: the same massaged tractor production statistics, the same 'government knows the answers' schtick.
If this is a leadership bid, Mr Brown can sleep slightly more easily tonight.
brutus
July 30th, 2008 10:22am Report this commentBrown is Crassus. After years of skulking in the background he usurped his way into the limelight but was found sorely lacking. Milliband is Caesar - he'll come to a nasty end. Purnell, now he has the look of a young Octavian.
Jack R
July 30th, 2008 1:13pm Report this commentThe ideological priority which D.Miliband shows as foreign secretary to an ever enlarging European Union, overriding UK national sovereignty will continue.
Despite his vague use of the word 'change' in his article, he is committed to:
1.) no referendum on Lisbon treaty/constitution;
2.) enthusiastically supporting entry of Turkey's 75 million Muslims into the EU;
3.) expansion of EU to include Islamic states of North Africa and Middle East.
Jackie M Miller
July 30th, 2008 1:28pm Report this commentMilibama?
Milibarmy, more like.
Austin Barry
July 30th, 2008 1:30pm Report this commentJack R's list of Miliband's idiocies demonstrates exactly the huge disconnect between the ruling elite and the electorate.
Marian C
July 30th, 2008 6:54pm Report this commentMilli is just another lame duck.
I have to agree with comments made by Silent Hunter & Nicholas above
Teledu
July 30th, 2008 7:46pm Report this commentAustin Barry - spot on.
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