The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Miliband to announce leadership bid today

David, that is.

By George Eaton Published 12 May 2010 12:39

It's been reported that David Miliband will give a speech today announcing his intention to run for the Labour leadership. He received a boost this morning after Alan Johnson ruled himself out of the race and endorsed Miliband.

James Purnell is expected to act as his campaign manager and serve as his chief of staff if he wins the contest. While his poor relations with the trade union movement, which holds a third of the votes in Labour's electoral college, remain a disadvantage, it is clear that the momentum is with Miliband.

Meanwhile, there is growing pressure on Jon Cruddas to run as the standard-bearer of the centre left, though I wouldn't rule out a "dream ticket" between him and Miliband. The pair remain close, having worked together for four years as aides to Tony Blair, and a partnership with Cruddas could dramatically enhance Miliband's standing with the left of the party.

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Tags: Jon Cruddas David Miliband Labour leadership

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10 comments

Wed, 2010-05-12 16:49 — BliarBlair

Milliebland is a middle-class geek who deserves a leading role in the new series of V. His brother (a.k.a. Bernie Winters) is favourite to win the next donkey derby.

Sun, 2010-05-16 20:54 — clem the gem (not verified)

Andrew Moor - Better shape????
Whilst the oft- quoted claims that Labour is dying are wide of the mark, we have the albatrosses of Iraq, expenses, PFI,gambling liberalisation and the widening gap between the super rich and the majority of ordinary people hanging around our necks , to name but a few.
That those of us on the left are not as stupid as those Bennites (who went on to become Blairites)of the 80s only shows that we already know that the situation we face is very grave indeed.
I dont just mean the party, but those we were created to represent and defend.

We need a proper debate about where we go from here, and how best to preserve and re-establish the very best of our long traditions.

Wed, 2010-05-12 19:04 — Marcus (not verified)

Is he your hero?

I think he is far too "strange" to be the leader of the Labour movement and the Regressives. His bro is much better suited (still strange though).

Fri, 2010-05-14 01:37 — Andrew Moor (not verified)

What is needed is a healthy, positive and genuine leadership fight. For my money, David Milliband is by far the most sensible choice. Never has a party left power in better shape; no substantial ideological schisms, having fought a good, decent election campaign. We need to capitalise on this. Remember that Labour is now the only significant party to the left of centre, and many Libdem voters are now desperate for representation.

If Labour got a D Milliband / Cruddas ticket and then voted for full PR, not only would it outshine the Con-Dem coalition, it would honestly look like the progressive party of social democracy.

Wed, 2010-05-12 22:42 — bernard2

ANDY BURNHAM IS A TRATOR ALONG WITH STRAW AND BLUNKETT HE KILLED THE CENTER LEFT COALITION . HE WILL NEVER BE LABOUR PARTY LEADER . AS FOR MILLIBAND HES GUTLESS WHY DIDENT HE RUN TWO YEARS AGO . WE DONT WANT YOU MILLIBAND OR YOU BROTHER . ANDY WHO CAN F... OFF AS WELL . LABOUR NOT A WORKING PERSON EVEN IN THE PARLLIAMENTRY LABOUR PARTY . YOUR ALL RICH YOU LABOUR MPS .YOU ARE ALL JUST PART OF THE PROBLEM . BUT THIS ANDY NEVER , NEVER , NEVER WILL THAT TRATOR BE LEADER , WE DONT ELECT PEOPLE LEADER ANDY LIKE YOU WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TORIE COALITION . YOU STRAW THE WAR CRIMINAL AND BLUNKETT THE TROUBLE MAKER.

Wed, 2010-05-12 13:21 — I Quek

Milliband is not wanted or needed by the Labour party OR the TU movement.

Wed, 2010-05-12 13:32 — davidk1

This is no time for tribalism. No time for drawn out fratricide. No Labour Party supporter would forgive that in the current climate. Get David Miliband in there with everyone's support - including the unions who's cash will be vital - and let's get ready for the next election campaign some time in the near future.

Wed, 2010-05-12 14:06 — bernard2

another blairite .... off . do we have any working class people in the labour party that could run for leader . you see all these layWers ans accountants , business people we have in the parlimentry LABOUR PARTY now they are part of the problem . CAN WE HAVE A REAL EX WORKING MAN AS LABOUR LEADER . IM SICK AND TIRED OF CHAMPAIGN SOCIALISTS AND RICH LABOUR MPS .

Wed, 2010-05-12 14:06 — mount1

ahh.. labour truly are heading down a hole..

Wed, 2010-05-12 14:10 — swatantra nandanwar

A bit too late. Milliband should have done that 2 years ago, then we wouldn't be in the mess we are. The next General Election won't come for another 5 years. We already know the exact date, so you've got quite a bit of waiting to do. But my moneys on Andy Burnham. What annoys me is the arrogance of Balls, Campbell and Wheelen in turning own the Progressive Alliance, and the reappearance of Blears on the scene; stomach churning.