So Brown’s decided not to mark his first anniversary as Prime Minister. But David Miliband is doing. He’s interviewed by Steve Richards in today’s Independent, under the headline ‘Miliband’s manifesto’. Cue much cursing and spluttering in No.10.
To be fair, Miliband refuses to be drawn on questions of party leadership, as in this passage:
“I put it to him that some of his admirers in the Labour party were disappointed he did not challenge Brown in last year’s leadership contest. Some of them wonder whether he really wants to be a leader. Could he reassure them by making it clear that at some point he has the appetite to lead? There is a pause. ‘I am not going there,’ he replies knowing that any sign of public enthusiasm for leadership would be seen as a challenge to Brown. ‘I am utterly determined to be a very good foreign secretary in a Gordon Brown government. All other speculation is literally idle.’”
But the intent behind these appearances is clear. It’s all about gaining prominence in the media; it’s all about reaching out to Labour supporters; it’s all about establishing a ‘vision’ for the country. Miliband is very much on manoeuvres.
Ok, Miliband’s designs are hardly shocking news. But they underpin what has been an atrocious first anniversary week for Brown. We’ve seen scathing articles from his former supporters, “worst-ever” poll results for Labour, and now a “manifesto” from one of the most important members of the Cabinet. The “Labour in crisis” theme had – to some extent – quietened just before this week. Expect it to return with a vengeance.
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