David Miliband declares the end of “New Labour”

Contest hots up as two talented brothers compete to lead “Next Labour”.

By James Macintyre Published 16 May 2010 13:44

In March, I coined the term "Next Labour" to describe the new generation of Labour politicians who were desperate to break free from the destructive labels "Blairite" and "Brownite".

Today, the unofficial leader of the Next Generation, David Miliband, emphasises the sentiment, declaring:

New Labour isn't new any more. What I'm interested in is next Labour. And the route to next Labour is to be listening. Labour listening, talking, engaging, discussing - debating Labour.

The former foreign secretary adds:

Blairites, Brownites, that's past.

And significantly, he praises left-winger Jon Cruddas, who offers similar praise to Miliband and who may team up with his colleague as part of a "dream ticket" if Cruddas doesn't run himself.

[Cruddas] has taught me a lot. He has been talking about housing for a long time. He has been talking about community organising for a long time.

Miliband's intervention comes a day after his slightly younger brother, Ed, threw his hat into the ring. I have long seen Ed Miliband as a potential leader, first tipping in the NS back in 2008, when he was barely recognised by the commentariat. However, I must confess to some surprise at his choice to run this time, and can believe reports that he was in "agony" over the decision to stand against his brother.

But the decision is probably healthy. Many party insiders, notably Charles Clarke, believe that New Labour was badly damaged by Gordon Brown's decision not to run in 1994 (Clarke believes it would have been better had he run -- and lost), and the party has not had a leadership contest since then.

Rationally, it is probably true to say that the more candidates, the better. And one way or another, it is almost certain that a Miliband will be leading the party soon enough: Ladbrokes says that 90 per cent of the money placed on the contest has been for one or the other of the clever brothers.

It's also worth remembering that the bookies were a bit more accurate than the polls when it came to the general election.

Tags: Labour leadership

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12 comments

Mon, 2010-05-17 01:48 — Daniele1

John Standing:
Who the hell are these "wimmin"??
A good thing there was no referendum on the EU constitution, how on earth, guys like you would have made any sense of it and take a considered view.
All you know is: hate of foreigners , homosexuals and "wimmin, right?

Mon, 2010-05-17 02:36 — Jan Cosgrove

Housing? Can we have 'the right to a home'? The home, be it for the trad/ other family, granny/grand-dad, married/or-other couple, single person etc, is the core issue for Labour. New Labour forgot that, forgot to repeal the odious shorthold tenancies, forgot to allow councils to build homes, forgot to stop the sales of council houses whilst there are waiting lists.

A decent home means a decent start in life, better health, better educational achievement, better work prospects. Which leadership candidates support this, they are the ones to follow.

Next Labour? No, Labour next.

Mon, 2010-05-17 14:23 — Freeman2

So the Milibands realised all was not quite right - the morning after the election?

Mon, 2010-05-17 17:34 — Philip. (not verified)

For giving the bankers all there Bonuses and the working class the dole.

Sun, 2010-05-16 13:54 — thinkov

an apology for the iraq war and ID cards please
from all candidates

Sun, 2010-05-16 14:02 — atropos1

"The Evil that men do lives after them, The good oft lies interred with their bones".
After 20 years of Labour blaming Thatcher for the results of Wilson/Callaghan, be not surprised if the electorate is a touche sceptical about "New, Improved Labour"

Sun, 2010-05-16 16:03 — Horselover Fat (not verified)

An apology for mass-immigartion wouldn't go amiss either....

Sun, 2010-05-16 18:33 — John Standing

An apology for the socialisation of bank losses might also go down well.

Sun, 2010-05-16 18:35 — John Standing

And an apology for deserting the white-working class for Africans, Asians, queers and wimmin.

Sun, 2010-05-16 18:36 — Suze (not verified)

I feel let down by New Labour so would expect to be let down yet again by something called Next Labour; it just sounds like more 'spin' - and we sure have had enough of that! What's wrong with the original name 'Labour'? Its not the name that matters but what the Party stands for that counts. But then the Labour Party can never seriously expect to change its current image or make a new start or gain new respect unless it first makes the following changes. It must (a) promise not to indulge in the cynical practice of giving unelected individuals ministerial power through awarding them life peerages, were Labour to form a future government and (b) it must rid the Party of the likes of Peter Mandelson and Alastair Campbell. If any are to blame for creating a culture of unease, scepticism and mistrust through their power and influence over the past thirteen years, it is that unelected pair and those like them. And as for David Miliband, Ed Miliband and Ed Balls - or any of the more well-known faces - all have become tarnished through their association with Blairism, Brownism and the failings of the past government. Surely the only way forward for Labour now is for a less well-known but equally well-respected candidate - like Jon Cruddas himself - to win the leadership contest. That would really represent a new start.