As soon as the first round result popped up the screen, an
expert on the Labour electoral college turned to me and said ‘Ed has won’. David was not far enough ahead on first preferences to win. But it was also clear that David was likely to win
MPs and members — that Ed was going to win thanks to the union vote. Now, the union vote is no longer a bloc vote. But in terms of legitimacy it is widely perceived to trail the members and
MPs sections.
The nature of his victory will make Ed Miliband’s task harder over the next few weeks, the Red Ed tag is now more dangerous to him. But before people on the right get too triumphalist, it is worth remembering that Ed Miliband — as he has proved these past few months — is an astute politician and a natural communicator.
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