The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Miliband's ambition is not yet matched by policy

He pinpointed Britain's woes with laser accuracy but struggled to identify solutions.

By George Eaton Published 27 September 2011 17:34

Ed Miliband's speech to the Labour conference was the most ambitious delivered by a party leader for a generation. Last year he called time on New Labour but this year he called time on the entire neoliberal settlement that has governed the UK since the 1980s."It's all got to change," he cried, reasserting his ambition to do for the left what Thatcher did for the right. Just as she shifted the centre ground of British politics to the right, so he now hopes to pull it leftwards.

He turned his fire on Rupert Murdoch, Fred Goodwin (finally issuing a Labour apology for that knighthood), Southern Cross ("stripping assets for a quick buck") and the energy monopolies, vowing to break up "rigged markets" and, in his favoured phrase, take on "vested interests". No longer would Labour treat all businesses as equally worthy, he said, drawing a sharp distinction between "the producers" and "the predators". "For years as a country we have been neutral in that battle. They've been taxed the same. Regulated the same. Treated the same.Celebrated the same," he told the hall. "They won't be by me."

But while Miliband pinpointed Britain's woes with laser accuracy he struggled to identify solutions. This was a remarkably policy-light speech, with the most memorable policy - a £6,000 cap on tuition fees - one that even he accepts is imperfect. He insisted that "it wouldn't be responsible to make promises I can't keep." But his critics will contend that Miliband still hasn't explained what the point of Labour is when there's no money to spend.

With this in mind, Miliband launched his first sustained attempt to convince voters that they could trust his party with their taxes. He promised that the next Labour government would "only spend what it can afford" and, echoing Ed Balls, conceded that he would not able to reverse many of the coalition's cuts. But he rightly refused to apologise for Labour's alleged "profligacy" and avoided legitimising the myth that overspending, rather than the recession, was to blame for the UK's mammoth deficit.

Whatever the outcome of the next election (and another hung parliament remains a distinct possibility), we can now say with some certainty that Miliband will never form a coalition with Nick Clegg. After Clegg lambasted him as one of Gordon Brown's "backroom boys", Miliband hit back, branding Clegg a "Tory" and mocking him for his broken tuition fees pledge.

But while his attacks on Clegg felt tired and predictable, his speech came to life when he directed his ire at David Cameron. In the most memorable passage of his address, he denounced Cameron's plan "to cut the 50p tax rate for people earning over £3,000 a week" and cried: "How dare they say we're all in it together." It was reminiscent of Cameron's own attack on Labour in 2009 ("how dare Labour lecture the Tories about poverty") and proved that Miliband is at his most effective when he is at his most passionate. Displaying his intellectual heft, Miliband channelled JK Galbraith and denounced the Prime Minister's belief that "you make ordinary families work harder by making them poorer and you make the rich work harder by making them richer."

This was a serious, intellectually coherent and occasionally inspiring speech. But while Miliband has a departure point (neoliberalism) and a destination (social democracy), the route remains unclear. In time, he must identify and then articulate the policies needed to fulfil his tremendous ambition.

Special Offer: Get 12 issues of New Statesman magazine for just £12

Tags: Party Conferences 2011 Ed Miliband Labour

More from George Eaton

View the discussion thread.

45 comments

Tue, 2011-09-27 23:30 — Ciarán

@Luddite as opposed to which of the three main parties which are bastions of reliability? Let's face the simple truth, the mainstream parties have become unreliable in their words. The Conservatives are claiming we're all in it together while giving the poorest less and the rich more. The Liberals are a party I won't even waste any more than this dismissal on, and neither will the electorate. Labour don't even have fixed policy yet, apart from ideologically.

Tue, 2011-09-27 23:42 — Jimminy-Wicket

Those criticising Ed Miliband need to be reminded of what the Conservative Right Wing press were saying about Cameron in his first full year.

Tue, 2011-09-27 23:47 — Jimminy-Wicket

Just thought I would like to give the Conservative supporters commenting on here a little reminder of Dave's first year as Conservative leader;

http://www.newstatesman.com/200612110027

Enjoy!!

Tue, 2011-09-27 23:49 — p j wall (not verified)

YESS, i`m totally content with todays display from Ed Miliband, because watching the likes of Tory in house servants Nick Robinson, Adam Boulton, and Tom Bradby very begrudgingly, through gritted teeth, give Miliband an inch of praise!!, that`s good enough for me coming from those well known Tories!, Even better knowing it`s even got Tory INDU-P starting off on one of his £350bn, our childrens future, it`s all labours fault, Rants!!, Even Tory Luddite`s starting his incoherent ramblings!, Definitely good speech by Ed, if it`s got all those Tory twonks Griping!!!.

Tue, 2011-09-27 23:57 — Jimminy Wicket (not verified)

Labour does not need to produce any policies for the foreseeable future as there will not be another general election until 2015, unless of course Cameron loses a vote of "No Confidence" and let's face it Turkey's do not vote for Christmas.

Wed, 2011-09-28 06:45 — Luddite (not verified)

p j wall "incoherent ramblings"..

"Labour does not need to produce any policies for the foreseeable future" Jimminy Wicket but what Labour does need to do is produce a credible alternative. Milliband can make all the promises he like but promises have to be funded.

Thu, 2011-09-29 09:55 — David Raho

After hearing this speech I feel that the Labour Party is moving in the wrong direction and further alienating both it's traditional supporters as well as doing nothing to attract potential supporters. I don't doubt Ed Miliband is an intellectual and would be great in a support role but he is not the inspirational communicator the Labour Party needs to bring them back to power and get things back on course-he is just not convincing. I loathe the government and the way the country is being torn apart and would vote for a party that presented a credible alternative that was bold coherent and smart

Wed, 2011-09-28 08:31 — Mrs,M L Bonwick-Jones (not verified)

Ed Miliband is back in his comfort zone, trying not to upset his union pay masters who have threatened Milibland.
This was not a new speech but a very old one that goes way back beyond 30 years to Labours 'maxist' beginning and Miliband has said this country has lost its wat since moving away from that direction, He said Labour will put forward new ideas (whilst keeping the old ones in the cupboard for now)
We will make idealistic speeches but with empty promises ( this will keep the party happy)
We will keep our feet firmly in the past,
but pretend we are going forward ( will we confuse them)
THIS SPEECH WAS DEEPLY WRONG AND UNHELPFUL FOR TODAYS ECONOMIC SITUATION!
Sorry Mr Miliband you may find comfort in the past but the reality is you can never go back!

Wed, 2011-09-28 10:12 — Jimminy-Wicket

@Mrs,M L Bonwick-Jones,

Try a bit of research on the IT regarding the Labour Party, you just might learn something and whilst you are at it re-read your comment.

"This was not a new speech but a very old one that goes way back beyond 30 years to Labours 'maxist'!!! beginning and Miliband has said this country has lost its wat!!! since moving away from that direction.

What on earth is maxist and what does wat mean?

Madam I take it you were educated during the Thatcher years?

Wed, 2011-09-28 10:25 — Jimminy-Wicket

Click onto this link
http://www.newstatesman.com/200612110027

and observe what the conservative supporting press and political commentators had to say about your beloved Dave after his first anniversary of becoming Conservative party leader!!

Wed, 2011-09-28 10:47 — Mrs,M L Bonwick-Jones (not verified)

A few key-board mistakes oh dear !
prehaps you would like to mention those educated under Blair/ Brown they were very active in August were they not! pity Labour did not bulid more schools,and look at what Margaret Thatcher did to Michael Foot, and now you Have Michael Foot II, but as someone mentioned it David Cameron is not responsible for the mistakes that Margaret Thatcher made, he was only a child at the time!unlike Ed Miliband and ed Balls who with Brown were directly responsible for all their mistakes and NO Ed Miliband is not Tony Blair, I know Iraq was a mistake, but apart from that he was brilliant !and won you three elections, Brown and his backroom boys ruined every piece of good Tony Blair achieved.

Wed, 2011-09-28 10:50 — mcquade

"Ed Miliband was not saying anything that David Cameron has not been saying for years as far as what our society as become..."

Except Cameron's actions now in government do not match up to his words. Whatever happened to his "moral capitalism"? Out the window.

Wed, 2011-09-28 10:55 — mcquade

"they over-populated this small country"

98% of the population lives on 8% of the land. Bonwick-Jones amusing us daily with her deep ignorance.

Wed, 2011-09-28 10:58 — mcquade

"state schools were at the bottom of the League table."

The League table comprises and measures state schools ONLY. Big D'OH,Bonwick-Jones

Wed, 2011-09-28 11:03 — mcquade

"Labour wants to reward hard work and discourage idleness, talk about U turn."

And so what. Don't you ever learn from your mistakes and change course, Luddite. Appears not as you have nothing better to do with your free time but troll. Sad.

Wed, 2011-09-28 11:08 — mcquade

But David Cameron was responsible for 1990s recession and 17% inflation. He was Lawson's special advisor.

Still need to gen up on your political history, Bonwick Jones, if you're to oercome your predilection for making a fool of yourself.

Wed, 2011-09-28 11:20 — Mrs,M L Bonwick-Jones (not verified)

UK were at the bottom of the world league table as far as schools are concerned, and why did Labour not make sure there were enough homes and jobs before our 'open door policy' or were they all supposed to be dependant on the state and vote Labour, did you also hear what yvette cooper said in her own words'Ed Miliband has a more difficault task then Tony Blair did beccause things were good in this country and the party when Tony Blair became prime minister'!

Wed, 2011-09-28 11:37 — crabstix (not verified)

As a lifetime Labour voter (not party member) did his speech inspire me? Err...No.

Will I vote for Labour led by Milliband... no.

Will I be on strike soon... you bet. And he won't like that, will he? And will he support me in defence of my pension? No! So there you have it.

Wed, 2011-09-28 11:53 — Mrs,M L Bonwick-Jones (not verified)

You do know that it was not the conservative party that has put you in the position that you feel you need to strike, although both they and the unions need to stop being stubborn and talk! it is the way the last goverment handled the economy, and handled the country in general that has causes this problem, the conservatives were not the goverment of 13 years, i know they were not perfect themselves, but they are trying to make the best out of a total mess.

Wed, 2011-09-28 12:07 — Jimminy-Wicket

@Mrs,M L Bonwick-Jones

I do not know which planet you live on, it certainly is not this one, either you are a modern day Rip Van Winkle or you have been half a sleep for the past 14 years, I can't fathom out which.

Your ignorance of politics under Thatcher is mind blowing and Labour did "bulid"(to use your own word) schools, rather a lot of them as I recall. And as I seem to remember the rioters, (if that is what you are referring to) came from all walks of life, some had the benefit of expensive public school education and from very wealthy families.

Wed, 2011-09-28 12:11 — Dave C (not verified)

crabstix,

If you really are "a lifetime Labour voter" then you've presumably voted Labour when (depending on your age) Wilson, Callaghan, Foot, Kinnock, Smith, Blair and Brown were leaders.

Leaders come and go. If you don't like a particular policy, join the party and get the policy modified.

Wed, 2011-09-28 12:44 — iainburnshill

You are too kind to Miliband and encourage his complacency. Yes, he analyses correctly the public's anger and its terminal disillusion with neoliberalism, but he is wrong not to offer detailed, targetted policies against those responsible - how about punitive taxes on bankers, prosecutions,legislation to control the energy utilities, a genuine rethink on free further education? Labour is fighting for its life, and "clever" tacking towards the needs of the fickle focus groups will not couterbalance a wholesale abandonment of the party by its core supporters, who are suffering so much at present. Only detailed indications of the party's intentions will allow it to rebuild a base for election day.

Wed, 2011-09-28 12:54 — Mrs,M L Bonwick-Jones (not verified)

Yes Labour build a lot of expensive buildings and filled them up with social workers instead of teachers! The riots were not to do with class or money but to do with the type of morality that trickles down from the top, brown set a very bad example! Andwhere have you been over the last 13 years if you think Labour has left this country in a good condition, the situation we are in now is worse then it has been under any goverment of both parties ( prior to the previous goverment)Liam Byrne (Brilliant name) said there is no money left! immigration is now unsustainable, and europe is falling to peices, and Labour saying things are not that bad is not correct , I will believe Osborne over Balls any day of the week !

Wed, 2011-09-28 13:00 — Dave C (not verified)

Mrs, M L Bonwick-Jones,

Do you have any sources you can cite for your supposed increase in the number of social workers?

Wed, 2011-09-28 13:44 — Jimminy-Wicket

Madam read what you post; name the schools that employ social workers instead of teachers.

As for Gordon Brown’s morality I think you are confusing him with George Osborne who was photographed with a hooker who accused him of sniffing cocaine!

Liam Byrne’s statement was meant as a joke and taken out of context by the damaged shop soiled goods David Laws. As for Immigration, net immigration has risen by 21% under Cameron.

And as for things being worse under Labour, even the IMF Osborne’s favourite economists are warning about growth which was growing under Labour.

Wed, 2011-09-28 14:02 — Jimminy-Wicket

@ Luddite, I trust Miliband will produce a credible alternative to Conservative policies, however after just a year as Labour Leader new policies have to be thought out,formulated and funded.

Cameron said in his first few years they would follow Labour's spending and what few policies of his own he came up with were held to ridicule later on.

Miliband does not need to rush as this country will have changed beyond recognition in the next three and a half years and unfortunately I do not think for the better.

Tue, 2011-09-27 17:50 — Olu Ojedokun (not verified)

An ambitious and inspiring speech, bold and time will tell how much of a success it has been….

Tue, 2011-09-27 18:05 — Paul (not verified)

No problem with the ideas. But where was the left when "new" labour was marching off to war and cozying up to capitalists? I expected mass resignations from leftist senior party people. I'll believe Miliband's words when only I see him doing it as PM.

Tue, 2011-09-27 18:09 — Terrible But True (not verified)

What was that about ambition being unmatched by ability?

Tue, 2011-09-27 18:16 — Mrs,M L Bonwick-Jones (not verified)

Ed Miliband was not saying anything that David Cameron has not been saying for years as far as what our society as become....
How can you have a'new bargain' with second hand goods, the speech contained no positive ideas to encourage growth, he may have frightened business's away with his threat to 'police them' and how will politicians know what is a good business and what is a bad one,the bad are very good at hiding!
He conveniently chastised the goverment for trying to put right his goverments mistakes and it is far too early to know if they have failed they have only just started!
Ed condemns the failure of state schools
but forgets to mention that when they were in goverment state schools were at the bottom of the League table.
But the worse thing he did was to praise those preditors and asset-strippers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown
with the help of the Two Ed's they were responsible for the shocking over spending of tax payers money, they allowed foreign buyers to take over power companies and charge what they like, they were responsible for not regulating the banks and a small point they over-populated this small country so that there will never be enough jobs again, if everyone else should be punished for there misdealing then why should we not punish the people responsible for the above,No Labour voters may be tricked by Ed Miliband but the rest of the country koow you can never have a new bargain with second-hand goods.

Tue, 2011-09-27 18:37 — Meric Apak (not verified)

Absolutely right to put productivity high up on the agenda to stimulate and uplift British economy and growth. Main messages: NHS, rewarding productivity and hard work, discouraging greed and inequality. In essence; core Labour values.

Tue, 2011-09-27 19:01 — Barny

I voted for him. I'm very disappointed. I don't think it is okay to buy council houses, whether in the 80s or now...back to the deserving and undeserving poor...described himself as a man. Seems a boy to me. Oh well.

Tue, 2011-09-27 19:08 — Freeman2

It's nice to hear a speech from a man of obvious intelligence. But then so was Obama and look what happened to him once in office.

Tue, 2011-09-27 20:07 — Luddite (not verified)

Some folk's are so easily pleased why can't you just accept you've voted for a lemon. He's going to leave a bitter taste in many a mouth.

Tue, 2011-09-27 20:29 — p j wall (not verified)

Diddums, Diddums, it must have been a good speech if the bitter, twisted tory above is slagging it!!, nevermind, your lot are holding their Nuremberg rally next week!, your heroes Flashman and Gideon together, no doubt you`ll be pulling the head off it, watching your idols!!, keep taking your medication!.

Tue, 2011-09-27 21:13 — Luddite (not verified)

p j wall
Never said a word about Gonzo's speech. But i did actually listen to it. He sounds a bit like David Cameron with a bit of Nick Clegg thrown in, but with no vision or passion and certainly no charisma. Mmmm.. A lemon is about right!!

Tue, 2011-09-27 21:18 — Gracie

Judging by the reaction of the usual Tory troll suspects on here, I would say that Ed Miliband's speech was a resounding success - he obviously has them frightened, this will be reflected in the vitriol dished out by the right wing Tory press in the morning and I can't wait.

This speech reached not just the party faithful, this is a speech that spoke to everyone and it resonated.

Wed, 2011-09-28 21:51 — Lox (not verified)

Oh for god's sake. Can I make one thing clear before I criticise Ed's speech? I'm not a tory. I'm not a troll. But if anyone believes that EM is positioning himself to win the next GE, then I'm sorry. You're kidding yourselves. This was posturing: the 50% tax rate is likely to be shown to be revenue neutral over the next few months. So what's the point in having it? Apart from trying to look tough on the rich, that is.
The state will differentiate between good and bad businesses and tax them accordingly? That is never going to happen. Never. You might give tax breaks to companies employing people-and much as I dislike Ed Balls, I think his proposal for an employer's NIC holiday for new workers is an excellent idea. Beyond that, who'll be targeted as a bad business? Is there to be a state business morality bureau?
George Eaton comments that the speech was light on policy. No wonder. If Ed is to try to put flesh on the bones of this dead dog, he'd only give the tories even more ammunition. What the left has to get it's head round is that Blair wasn't successful despite being centre right. He was successful because he was to the right. The world's skewed, and it's not in favour of the left.

Tue, 2011-09-27 21:25 — Gracie

@ Luddite - you here again trolling as usual? Give it a bloody rest, you are not only transparent you are totally boring. Every thread no matter what the subject, you pop up in the same vain totally predictable. It must be so good knowing "everything about everything" and I bet you have a whole hat stand full of "jobsworth" caps for every occasion you are a joke, why you don't elope with "Mrs,M L Bonwick-Jones"? You would make a lovely couple I'm sure.

Tue, 2011-09-27 21:40 — Mrs,M L Bonwick-Jones (not verified)

Ed Miliband reminded me a little of
David Cameron without the charisma,direction,and passion!
Also the power issue they hadin the beginning was that caused by the handsome David Miliband pulling the plug!

Tue, 2011-09-27 21:55 — Luddite (not verified)

Gracie "resounding success" Like i said some are so easily pleased.

Tue, 2011-09-27 22:07 — Bob (not verified)

"For years as a country we have been neutral in that battle. They've been taxed the same. Regulated the same. Treated the same.Celebrated the same," he told the hall. "They won't be by me."

Err, but they were - or was the Labour administration, of which Miliband was a part, that taxed, regulated and treated them all the same a figment of my imagination?

He promised that the next Labour government would "only spend what it can afford". Again, I'm sorry that the evidence is not promising - I've heard all about the 'golden rule', but that didn't work did it. And while we maybe told it would have been fine apart from those greedy bankers, who set up the regulating regime? And on top of that, if prudence really is a watchword for the last/next Labour administration, how was it that one department could become £38Bn in the red?

Sorry, I'm a-political and just looking for realism, and honesty. If you want to see the size of the problem this country is facing read this;
http://cynicuseconomicus.blogspot.com/2011/09/uk-economy-review.html

Then ask yourself whether ANY politician has faced up yet?

Tue, 2011-09-27 22:16 — Indu Pendent (not verified)

Today Labour lost the next election.

Given its only 3.5 years away (the Tory fixed term Act has gone through), there is not enough time left for Labour to recreate itself. The party needs to start planning for the election in 8 years.

Tue, 2011-09-27 22:19 — Luddite (not verified)

Live within your means don't spend what you no longer have. These aren't my words but Miliband's words.
All of a sudden Labour wants to be responsible. Labour wants to reward hard work and discourage idleness, talk about U turn. Will the electorate buy it, probably not why should they Labour is no longer trustworthy.

Tue, 2011-09-27 22:45 — martybee (not verified)

A good well balanced speech. Nothing wrong with buying Council Houses IF you are building new ones to replace them..I get the feeling that the wagon is back on the tracks, the first step in a long uphill march.Ed might not get there but he has fingered the route.