Afternoon:
9°c
David Miliband is the clear preference of the public as Labour leader, a poll claimed today.
The YouGov survey found he was picked by 42 per cent of those who had a preference. Younger brother Ed came next on 19, with Diane Abbot third on seven.
Fourteen per cent of the public said they would be more likely to vote Labour if he was leader, compared with seven per cent if chief rival Ed Miliband won the crown.
The survey, by a reputable company, was paid for by the shadow foreign secretary's campaign in a final attempt to convince Labour members he should be their choice.
Ed Balls today proposed a £250 million plan to create 200,000 jobs and work placements in an attempt to show he is dealing with real world issues. “This policy goes to the heart of the alternative I am setting out on the economy,” he said.
Ed Miliband, meanwhile, won a boost from Left-wing Tribune magazine.
Ballot papers are arriving at the homes of Labour activists, trade unionists and members of affiliated societies. Some people could vote eight or even 10 times if they are members of many linked groups. The winner will be announced on the eve of the party conference this month.
Gordon Brown has dismissed Tony Blair's criticism of him in his memoirs, it emerged today. “He shrugged his shoulders and said, in life you should think about the future,” said Mr Balls.
Reader views (17)
When millipede was foreign secretary his contribution to the conflict in the middle east was non existent. This man and his brother, who are both Jewish, have not made a statement as to their views or policies on the Middle east. Why. The question that is asked to muslims, "are you muslim or British which comes first?" I ask the same question to these two gentlemen what comes first Israel or The UK are they British or Jewish and please what is their views on the Israeli occupation and the imprisonment of 1.5 million human beings in Gaza. David went to the USA to adopt a child. Were the British orphans not good enough for him? I think he should explain .
- des egan, london UK, 06/09/2010 12:36
Report abuse
Never, ever will I vote for this man. I would rather vote for Mahmoud Ahmadinejad if that was an option.
- Marco Marboni, Kettering, UK, 05/09/2010 10:22
Report abuse
“this country is in such a mess because a large number of brainless peopel who can't actually consider ever voting anything OTHER than Labour”. This country is in a mess because people like you haven’t the sense to spell check their comments before posting; type up in Word, then cut and paste into thisislondon, dead easy when you think about it, emphasis on the THINK.
Cameron is doing exactly what Maggie did in 1979 and it nearly cost her the election, if Galtieri hadn’t invaded the Falklands she would have lost to Michael Foot, repeat Michael bloody Foot, how frightening is that? Unless he can get the Argentineans to invade again he’s going to get caned for the cuts he’s about to put through.
The Lib Dems are haemorrhaging support at an alarming rate as they discard all their core values in the hope that they can change the voting system and become a power of the future, a desperate gamble by Cleggers that will either be seen as utter madness or pure brilliance depending on whether the British voters support his reforms or not. Only time will tell.
Yes David Milkybar is a Blair clone which is why he will get in. He is doing exactly what Blair did and going for the Tory Lite option, appeal to the middle classes, challenge the Tories in the marginal seats and just carry on as before. No real change, just more of the same, we have three parties and three leaders that we could swap at random and no one would really notice.
- ASLEF shrugged, Leyton, UK, 04/09/2010 00:18
Report abuse
David Milliband for PM i hope not.He helped to break this country in allowing millions of Migrants in, most are now on Benefits. Now there is a lack of Houses, Schools and Hospitals.
- stan white, leeds uk, 03/09/2010 17:41
Report abuse
David Miliband smells of Blair. He imitates the master of disguise, even his voice, intonation, pauses and tics. I watched a pseudo debate between the 5 musketeers who would like to be in charge of the Labour Party and David looked like he thought that he was in charge. Perhaps he is. The other four seemed to be in awe or to be afraid of him. Perhaps they know something that we, mortals, do not know yet.
- Michaella, London UK, 03/09/2010 17:40
Report abuse
had to check te date to make sure it wasn't Apri 1st. Especially, with all due respect, when I read Reuben's response. David Miliband a "Marxist"?. David Miliband is as right wing - perhaps even more so - than his mentor Blair.
But if people really believe this, and they are Labour supporters, all I can say is that they have a death wish. Enjoy a decade in opposition.
- Alan, Romford Essex, 03/09/2010 17:25
Report abuse
Guess, what the Milkybars are on this Kid. Sorry Geek
- Tom, St. Albans, 03/09/2010 17:12
Report abuse
Electing David Miliband as leader of the Labour Party would be like someone shooting themselves in the head. Why is the people's party's default mode suicide?
- Alex, London, 03/09/2010 16:50
Report abuse
The Milliband brothers were and remain part of the problem and are therefore not ideally placed to be part of the solution.
Diane Abbott has no chance really and is the token other person.
Ed Balls is a complete twit and clearly has no chance.
Andy Burnham with his good looks and age could still be a model for a catalogue.
Labour deserve to be in the wilderness for many years so it does not matter which person they choose to lose the labour leadership.
After Blairs comments in his new book how can labour supporters even consider any Milliband brother?
- PATRICK'S OPINION LAMBETH, LONDON, 03/09/2010 16:20
Report abuse
Who were interviewed in the survey - Conservative voters? 
He hasn't a cat in hell's chance of being PM but hey: £150,000 pa, plus expenses and the prestige of being Loser of the Opposition is not to be sniffed at!
- James from Camden, London, 03/09/2010 16:17
Report abuse
Any person who votes for Marxist Communist Milibananabrainless or his Red Ed Brother needs to have their head examined.
- Reuben Camara, Plot 1, Morecambe Compound, UKSSR, 03/09/2010 15:58
Report abuse
Labour in permanent opposition?? Yes please, God..
- Dave Peters, Cheltenham, UK, 03/09/2010 13:46
Report abuse
A perfect reason why nobody should be allowed to vote until they pass a basic intelligence test. This is why this country is in such a mess because a large number of brainless peopel who can't actually consider ever voting anything OTHER than LAbour "cos dat's wot we always do" makes me want to puke. David Milliband...wonderful guy, really impresssive, charismatic. The Labour party will get what they deserve, yet another self promoting, slimy politician with only one ambition and that's not the improvement of the UK.
- jon, london, 03/09/2010 13:06
Report abuse
David Milliband voters top choice? He would be when the survey is being paid for by him - nobody asked me cos I most certainly will never vote for a TB clone
- Dave Peek, Llanelli Wales, 03/09/2010 13:06
Report abuse
Hmmm. But David's been a member of The British American Project for the Successor Generation (BAP) which was set up by Ronnie Reagan and Rupert Murdoch in 1985 for the ELITE. Peter Mandelson's been a member too. When did the ELITE ever represent your best interests?
- Steve Thornton, Folkestone, Kent, 03/09/2010 13:04
Report abuse
Dave M for leader, Ed Balls for shadow chancellor. An ideal combination to ensure Labour adopt their rightful place in British politics, permanent opposition.
- Albert Hall, Kettering, 03/09/2010 12:50
Report abuse
I prefer Diane Abbott, but it is clear Labour will be in opposition for a while, probably for a further term as well.
Tony Blair said he did not support the fox hunting ban but that was only a minor issue anyway. The unjust war in Iraq and no referendum on the Euro was where Labour went wrong.
I dont think any of the candidates have distanced themselves enough from New Labour to really win any new votes. Voters who want to vote left wing are going to vote for the Lib Dems while right wing voters are going to vote Conservative, so where does that leave Labour,... in no mans land,.
Whoever becomes leader of the labour has a big task no doubt.
- paul micallef, Birzebuggia Malta, 03/09/2010 12:43
Report abuse
