Morning:
8°c
Miliband emerges as the young pretender
Joe Murphy and Nicholas Cecil30 Jul 2008
David Miliband today marked himself as a dangerous rival to Gordon Brown by blatantly refusing to rule out a leadership contest.
The 43-year-old Foreign Secretary answered a stream of questions about whether the Prime Minister should remain as leader with the repeated formula "Gordon will lead us forward".
His words left open the possibility of Mr Brown being toppled at any time - and were taken by the Prime Minister's allies as deliberately hostile.
There was little doubt at Westminster that Labour was on the brink of a civil war, possibly breaking out as early as the autumn.
Mr Miliband was repeatedly asked throughout the day to endorse Mr Brown.
"Gordon will lead us forward and the rest of us have a contribution to make," he told a packed press conference when a visit by the Italian foreign-minister was turned into a media circus.
His warmest words for Mr Brown were: "Can Gordon lead us into the next election and win? Yes. I'm absolutely confident about that."
That was in reply to the specific question put by the Evening Standard on whether he thought Mr Brown was the only person to lead Labour into the election.
Mr Miliband was asked to rule himself out as a future Labour leadership candidate. He replied: "How many times do I have to say that this is about arguments, about issues, about a united Labour response? On Friday, I said that Labour had to pull together to address the big issues facing the country."
Pressed further on whether Labour would be "mad" to change its leader before the next election, Mr Miliband again ducked the question, saying: "As a loyal member of the Labour party, I would say no, the party never does mad."
Today's extraordinary drama was provoked by a 900-word article written by Mr Miliband and setting out his vision for fighting the next election on a radical policy reform agenda.
His article appeared to set out a leadership stall and failed to defend the beleaguered Prime Minister.
Allies of Mr Brown were furious. The events climaxed at a press conference where Italian minister Franco Frattini looked bemused by the attempts of the Press to pin Mr Miliband into endorsing Mr Brown to stay - and the minister's verbal gymnastics as he avoided giving such a commitment.
Asked if he was seeking the leadership, he replied: "I'm not campaigning for anything other than a successful Labour Government."
"I think that my article today was a challenge to David Cameron and not a challenge to Gordon Brown," Mr Miliband added.
His motive was frustration at " fatalism" in the party ranks, he said.
The Foreign Secretary's actions surprised allies of Mr Brown who saw them as a calculated attempt to undermine the Premier.
One accused him of being "disloyal" and "self-serving" and of lacking " judgment and maturity".
Two former ministers from Tony Blair's time weighed in behind Mr Miliband.
Peter Mandelson said Labour was "in some flux" and former Europe minister Denis MacShane said "Labour MPs should follow Miliband's leadership".
Mr Brown, weakened by by-election defeats and dreadful opinion poll results, could not risk sacking the minister.
One ally of the PM said: "I think MPs will be appalled. David Miliband has shown himself to be not only disloyal but also self-serving. People at least thought he was a serious figure and a grown-up politician but by allowing his head to be turned by this leadership nonsense, he has revealed a surprising lack of judgment and maturity."
Mr Miliband is due to go on holiday later this week and his move was seen as an attempt to steal a march on possible rivals such as Jack Straw and Harriet Harman.
Mr Miliband could have been in no doubt that any failure to endorse the Premier fully today would be seen as another hostile act.
But when approached by the Standard this morning he merely said: "I'm making a contribution to the debate about how Labour addresses the needs of the country and responds to the Glasgow East by-election. That's something we should all be doing."
Challenged later by Sky News to back the Prime Minister, he said: "Gordon Brown is the leader of the Labour Party and he will lead us forward to address the big issues." MPs believe Mr Miliband may have written his Guardian piece because of concerns that Leftwingers have gained ground ahead of a possible leadership contest.
Labour backbencher Jeremy Corbyn dismissed the article as "shallow", adding: "It fails to address the concerns of core Labour voters, housing prices or pensions for example."
In his article, Mr Miliband described how he would rescue Labour. He said: "New Labour won three elections by offering real change, not just in policy but in the way we do politics. We must do so again."
Bookmakers slashed the odds on Mr Miliband being the next Labour leader and prime minister to 9/4 from 5/2.
Labour MP Ian Gibson said: "It does feel like a leadership challenge." Health Secretary Alan Johnson, tipped as a running mate, said he was "not talking about that, thank you very much".
Mr Miliband is said to be assembling a leadership campaign team.
Commons Leader Ms Harman again denied positioning herself for a leadership campaign, saying: "When a woman says no, she means no."
Reader views (21)
ZaNu Labour are finished and be good to see that smug grin wiped from the face of traitors like Milliband and his ilk.
Glasgow East was the beginning of the rout for liars,thieves and the honourable' members.
Use your vote wisely good people.
- Finbar Bryson, Nottingham,UK, 31/07/2008 12:55
Report abuse
If Millibrand really thinks Labour can win the next general election, then he shows enough poor judgement to qualify as the next PM. If he can lie about this so blatantly, how can we trust him in office?
- Naomi Sajeri, Manchester, 31/07/2008 09:07
Report abuse
That smug cheesy grin on Miliband's face is eerily familiar.
- Austen, London, 31/07/2008 08:08
Report abuse
NuLabour - A Taxing experience in both senses of the word - Bye, Bye we have had enough of your Social Engineering
- Cromwell, woking england, 31/07/2008 07:35
Report abuse
Miliband is an obnoxious little character with no chance of success
- James, Harrogate, 31/07/2008 00:10
Report abuse
They are the party of the losers and the state apparatus handouts. This huge circus has to stop. Nu Labor go away!
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London, 30/07/2008 22:07
Report abuse
It might be a resurgent Tory party in England but England is not Britain despite the general view of Englanders. Tories are an endangered species in Scotland as are all of the other Unionista parties and no bad thing. it has dawned on the Labour Party who are presently trying to become more Scottish than the SNP! Nae chance! Roll on the breakup when we can get rid of the Nukes. Son of Trident and away from the imperial dreams that the Westminster Government of which ever hue has. Have you decided where you are going to put the nuke subs? Thames, Solent, Wash, Mersey? I do not see them in the West Country where they will be as anti them as the Scots are. And if a Tory government tries to force them on Scotland it might be difficult getting the material and supplies to Faslane etc. along the public roads/rail. interesting times Eh!
- Arrow, edinburgh scotland, 30/07/2008 22:03
Report abuse
Miliband is now committed, make no mistake. If he pulls out again he's history. Ironic that the cerebral, but deluded young man will be pitched against a party whose time has come once again. Labour, old or new, are wreckers. They have survived so long on the back of a strong economy set up by the previous Conservative govt. Now, once again, the economy is in tatters and crime is rife. All Labour promises have been shown to be empty. Please ditch this bunch of buffoons.
- John, arezzo italy, 30/07/2008 21:05
Report abuse
Before this goes much further I would suggest that you all go and read what the responses have been to Mr Miliband for his Guardian article, from the general public.
Not only do they trash his chances but they also show just how much Visceral Hatred there is out there for anything associated with New Labour, Old Labour or just plain Labour.
They are finished and it doesn't matter who leads them or what they say or do....they are T O A S T at the next General Election... which should be sooner than 2010, judging by the rate of implosion happening in their ranks.
For the people of this country; the demise of Labour can't come soon enough!
- Silent Hunter, Fintry, Scotland, 30/07/2008 15:48
Report abuse
The simple reality is this:
1) Brown took credit for our years of economic growth but now refuses to accept any responsibility for the current malaise. For someone supposedly intelligent to pin his reputation to something so undulating as the economy and then expect to get away with it is astonishing – his lack of foresight is incredible and for that reason alone he should be fired
2) Why should the people of Britain have to put up with a party hamstrung by infighting – one thing is for sure, all these discussions about Brown and his future are not being conducted in the interests of the general public
- St, London, 30/07/2008 15:32
Report abuse
Miliband is a politician of his age, unlike Gordo "back to the seventies" Brown.
Has to be worth a go...
- Ronnie Mac, Otford, 30/07/2008 15:12
Report abuse
Brown lied through out being chancellor and as PM. Blair was no better. What makes Miliband any different. The same inept lot will still be there. Harman, Jowell, Smith, Flint, Blears, Balls etc. etc.
All a bunch of liars screwing the public purse with their expenses.
Let Miliband challenge for the leadership, let the blood flow. Lets see them all stab each other. None are interested in improving the lives of us all. They're only in it to serve themselves.
I rub my hands in glee to see Brown squirm for what he has done to the country and the rest of them back stabbing.
Let round one begin. The clock is ticking.
- Alec, West London, 30/07/2008 15:09
Report abuse
Ferocious onslought on Milliband by who? Er,one of Brown's allies. No name so safe to say another complete work of fiction.
- Colin, barking essex, 30/07/2008 14:42
Report abuse
Watching Paxo interview the smooth-talking "son-of-Blair" a few months ago, it was clear to me that Paxo was personally in no doubt that he would be the next prime minister - Despite Milliband's somewhat incredible protestations that he was only interested in his current job.
Milliband is a direct challenger to Cameron in age and vitality, and Cameron is wisely keeping his powder dry for the real battle that lies ahead.
Milliband has the same slippery forked tongue as Blair. That is his strength and his weakness. He can wriggle out of verbal challenges with teflon-coated flourishes that even Paxo surrenders to. Many of his mannerisms are direct from Blair (or is it from the same boot camp of spin?) And people will be reminded of Blair when they hear Milliband talking about starting afresh.
The Brown succession plan is a fait-accompli, and barely newsworthy.
- Chris, London, 30/07/2008 14:39
Report abuse
More meaningless waffle from the Westminster Village.
- Colin, barking essex, 30/07/2008 14:38
Report abuse
I think the Daily Telegraph summed it up nicely in their cartoon about the pier fire yesterday. An official is asked about the cause - "We don't know how it started but it'll probably turn out to be Gordon Brown's fault".
I think GB should sit tight - things can only get better for him!
- Jackie, London, 30/07/2008 14:19
Report abuse
Childish in-fighting within the Labour party is hardly going to impress the voters. If "allies of the Prime Minister" want Labour to stay in power, they'd be best off keeping their mouths shut and trying to do their own jobs properly, to help dig the government out of its current hole.
- Liz, London, 30/07/2008 14:03
Report abuse
Miliband looks like a thug to me,-but at least his face seems to work properly and he is younger than Brown, but to be honest we all know that Labour are finished unless they shed Brown and shed Tax.
- Jacob, Canterbury England, 30/07/2008 13:51
Report abuse
At least David Miliband appears to have some ideas and some values that drive those ideas. Don't see much of that from Brown (making the poor pay more tax) or Cameron (do as I say not as I do).
- Joe Maloney, Dagenham, 30/07/2008 13:19
Report abuse
What makes me laugh is how Labour blame all their woes on Gordon Brown. If they get rid it will make no difference.
What is needed is change but change of the cabinet who I honestly with no training could do a far better job AND I would take no pay OR expenses in the role.
Thomas Irvine MP (in waiting)
- Thomas Irvine, London, 30/07/2008 12:39
Report abuse
The sooner a serious move is made to replace Gordon Brown the better – politically he is a dead man walking in the face of a resurgent Tory Party.
David Miliband represents a breath of fresh air and a break with the staid and leaderless image of The Labour Party.
Once Brown is removed the government will be able to challenge the Tories to put forward actual implementable policies rather than relying on Cameron’s youthful and popular image
- City Trader, london, 30/07/2008 12:21
Report abuse
