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:
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. 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.
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