The new Labour leader
Well, that was exciting and soooo close: 50.65% to 49.35% after second, third and fourth preference votes came into play.
Just beating his older brother David, the Labour Party has a new leader 40 year old Ed Miliband and, as I explained in this posting, I voted for him in the ballot.
While I’m blogging about the Labour leadership, you might like to know that one of my short stories is about a Labour Prime Minister. You can read it here.
September 25th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
I’ve a feeling the Conservative and Lib Dem leaders will be quietly pleased that David did not win.
September 25th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
It’s always a nice feeling when “your” candidate wins. Congratulations.
Now comes the hard work of rebuilding the trust of the voters in the Labor Party.
September 25th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
Nick, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats might have been right if the General Election was going to be soon, but it’s years ahead and by then Ed Miliband will be seen as the more credible and effective leader.
David, You’re right of course and I’m sure Ed Miliband understands that. The UK is not the USA and Ed M is not Barack Obama, but there is a similar sense here of the young pretender defeating the heir apparent.
September 26th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
Roger, even if, as seems likely, the coalition does last the full term, David Miliband (who is only 45 years old!) would have matured into the role of Labour leader, just as you believe Ed will.
September 26th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Nick, David Miliband would not have needed time to mature – he’s already up to the job of PM. But, in my view, we need a sharper move on from New Labour than DM was offering. This is what EM will bring.
September 26th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
I still think ‘Balls would be better’.
Aside from that – what happened to Nighthawk on the front page? You getting up earlier!!!!!!!!!
September 27th, 2010 at 10:31 am
Well, Roger, clearly the older brother is more experienced. He’s been a well regarded senior minister, and heir apparent. But he’s never been Leader of the Opposition, a more varied and demanding role I believe he would have grown into.
We’ll see how Ed does. A sharper move on from New Labour may not be what the electorate wants!