DESPITE DARK PREDICTIONS to the contrary, Labour’s defeat in May has thus far not ignited the kind of vicious feuding and infighting which marked the last occasion the party returned to opposition from government in 1979.
The leadership election which is now reaching its final stages has not elicited huge interest from the public – perhaps understandably when so much media attention remains focused on the novelty of the country’s first peacetime coalition government in 90 years – but neither has it revealed the kind of ideological faultlines which similar battles in the 1950s and 1980s displayed, much to the party’s electoral detriment.
But while the conduct of the leadership election is important, it is its outcome that will be crucial in determining Labour’s long-term prospects.
With the exception of Harold Wilson’s defeat in 1970, each time Labour has been ejected from office, it has remained in opposition for more than a decade – not a great record for a party created to give a political voice to working people. And we should not forget, either, that Labour has often faced a worse drubbing in the election after it has initially been voted out of power. Jim Callaghan’s defeat in 1979, for instance, was followed by ‘the longest suicide note in history’ debacle of 1983. By contrast, until they decided to field William Hague, Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Howard, the Tories have traditionally been rather smarter about turning around their electoral fortunes.
If Labour chooses the right candidate this month, however, it will take a huge step towards confounding these historical precedents and putting itself back on the path to power.
To do that, the party needs to choose not simply an appealing leader, but a credible prime minister. That’s why we believe Labour should choose David Miliband.
During this contest, David Miliband has demonstrated the breadth of his appeal, both inside the party and beyond. He has shown himself to be the grassroots’ choice – winning the support of more CLPs and Labour council leaders than any other candidate – as well as having the clear backing of his parliamentary colleagues at Westminster. Perhaps unexpectedly, he has won the endorsement of two trade unions, including Usdaw, the country’s fourth largest. And, crucially, last month’s YouGov poll showed David Miliband to be the public’s preferred choice, a finding borne out by those CLPs, such as Bassetlaw, which have tested the candidates’ support amongst the voters.
Unsurprisingly, a separate poll by YouGov of party members and Labour-supporting members of affiliated trade unions found David Miliband the candidate not only most likely to be the best leader of the opposition, but also most likely to lead Labour to victory at the next election and to be the best prime minister. Moreover, as a Fabian Society analysis for Left Foot Forward demonstrated, David Miliband was the comfortable winner of the most CLP nominations in the crucial marginal seats that Labour lost in 2010 and must win back to form a government at the next election.
But our support for David Miliband rests not simply on the appeal he has demonstrated in this campaign, but also on the vision he offers for Labour’s future and his account of its recent past.
Intelligent defence of our record
We stated immediately after the election that Labour needed to develop an intelligent defence of its time in office. Winning the argument with the coalition over Labour’s 13 years in power is, in truth, the first battle of the next election campaign. Indeed, the ferocity with which the coalition is attempting to denigrate Labour’s record as a cover for their ideologically driven attack on the role of government shows the urgency of this task. But we also made clear that while Labour should not abandon its record, neither should it be imprisoned by it. Of all the candidates, David Miliband has shown the greatest sensitivity to this task.
On the one hand, he has refused to play to the gallery by summarily abandoning large swathes of the manifesto that he and each of the five candidates (including its author) campaigned on barely three months ago. On the other, his Keir Hardie lecture in July – described by Jon Cruddas as ‘the most important speech by a Labour politician for many years’ – provided the most honest and clear-sighted assessment of Labour’s record we’ve seen in the leadership campaign. In it, he defended Labour’s achievements in office while regretting the lack of renewal which accompanied the transition from Tony Blair to Gordon Brown in 2007.
Most importantly, however, David Miliband has attempted to turn the leadership contest from a debate about the past into one about the future. And in his contribution to that debate, he most clearly embraces and understands the open politics that Progress stands for.
We share his distaste for statism and the ‘paternalist authoritarianism’ which too often characterised some of New Labour’s actions; his belief that the party needs to build a ‘broad alliance for the common good’, underpinned by the values of solidarity, reciprocity and mutuality, which first brought the Labour movement together; and the need now for Labour to be ‘humble, determined, open and engaged’.
‘Big society’ challenge
By his support for open primaries, embrace of mutualism and electoral reform, and his fledgling Movement for Change with its promise to train 1,000 community organisers, David Miliband has backed his warm words with concrete promises. And, crucially, he is sketching out a vision of an empowering state and community-based politics that will allow Labour to do battle with David Cameron’s notion of a ‘big society’, a vision that doesn’t cede territory which – given the previous government’s support for the voluntary sector and the party’s own rich non-statist tradition – should rightfully belong to the progressive left.
Finally, David Miliband has also been the candidate most willing to recognise that Labour needs a credible approach to the deficit if it is to win the political debate which will surely dominate this parliament. As the shadow business secretary Pat McFadden has warned, ‘fight the cuts’ is a tempting slogan in opposition, and some indeed must be fought, but that alone cannot be all that Labour says on the subject. Indeed, if it does not provide an alternative – which only David Miliband has shown a willingness to do – Labour will play into the coalition’s hands by allowing them to claim that only they are capable of facing up to the country’s problems.
Deficit denial
And, as polling for Demos’ Open Left project has shown, the challenge here for Labour is not as simple as those leadership candidates who appear intent on using the contest to refight the argument about ‘cuts versus investment’, with which the last government unsuccessfully grappled, would have us believe. It found that among voters who supported the party in 2005 but switched in 2010, appeals to defend public services – including the NHS – against cuts were markedly less popular than calls for greater efficiencies. Only one-third of those who deserted Labour, moreover, saw government as ‘a force for good’. Let’s not forget that these ‘lost’ Labour voters include large numbers of the skilled working class who traditionally make up Labour’s core vote but whose support for the party dropped by 20 points on 6 May.
While each of the candidates might well add something to a Labour shadow cabinet, only one of them has shown the willingness to tackle the difficult politics posed by the deficit; has offered an account of the party’s 13 years in office which celebrates its achievements while being honest about its missed opportunities; and has set forth a vision for Labour’s future which will expose the hollowness of the coalition’s claim to offer a new politics. In doing so, David Miliband has demonstrated an appeal which crosses the party and reaches beyond it. This is his moment. We urge you to cast your vote for him.
BEATING BORIS
Labour should choose Oona not Ken
PARTY MEMBERS IN London have not only to choose a new party leader, but also Labour’s candidate to take on Boris Johnson in the mayoral election in 2012. Many will be tempted to give Ken Livingstone an opportunity to avenge his defeat of two years ago. We believe they would be wrong to do so.
We fully accept the strength of Livingstone’s record as mayor – indeed, perhaps his greatest achievement was to make the new institution matter so much. But a rematch of the 2008 mayoral election would not be in Labour’s interests. We’ve seen little sign that Livingstone has understood the need to strengthen his appeal to the outer London suburbs – and to many white working-class voters in inner London – which played such a key role in ejecting him from office. Instead, Labour should turn the page in London and select Oona King. She has run a strong campaign for the nomination and shown she knows why Labour lost two years ago; Oona represents Labour’s best bet of beating Boris.
MEMBERS’ VOICE
Our pick for the NEC
THOSE WHO REMEMBER when Labour was last in opposition will recall the power the National Executive Committee wields when the party isn’t in government, and the key role it has to play in getting us back there.
Along with your ballot for the leadership election, readers will also have a chance to choose the NEC members who represent grassroots party members – in other words, our voice on the NEC. Progress is supporting a number of hard-working Labour activists – Ellie Reeves and Peter Wheeler, two excellent incumbents who champion the views of party members both when it’s easy and when it’s not; Deborah Gardiner and Shaukat Ali do the same on National Policy Forum and would continue this on the NEC. Finally, two Progress favourites – Oona King and Luke Akehurst – are both worthy of your vote. Each will bring fresh, member-focused perspectives to the NEC, ensuring the Labour party is match fit for the next cycle of electoral challenges.
Progress backs David Miliband for leader… Quelle surprise! What next – ‘Pope Catholic: Exclusive’? … ‘In other news: bears defecate in woods’…
I’ve decided to vote for David Miliband rather than Ed, respect to John Cruddas for supporting him.
It is time to vote with heads and not hearts. Anyone who is thinking of voting for any of the other choices risks dooming us for ten years minimum. Our history shows us our leaders who failed to make PM, eg Michael Foot (RIP) convinced our members but not the all important wider electorate.
We need to think of the voters who have deserted us to the Tories and others,the support of middle England is imperative.
Looking too far inwards at what we would like best but is not achievable is a mistake, we have to think of the wider electorate, get our message clear and sell it.
David Miliband is the guy with the most gravitas, experience and broad appeal, as he says, staying in comfort zones will not win us the election. He may have been a New Labour architect, nothing wrong with that, but he is ready and willing to move us on to ‘Next Labour.’ He is the guy I can most see taking on Cameron over the despatch box, on the TV debates and building an effective team to get us re – elected.
Was there a poll of members, if there was my ballot paper must have been misplaced or is this an editorial decision. Other organisations on the left have had polls of members before endorsing or nominating a candidate. I wouldn’t be surprised if the same result was reached, but at least the endorsement would have some credibility. Is this a staff decision or editorial or board? Genuinely interested in how it came about and the timing of the announcement.
I love you Progress!
David may well make a good leader – but where is he leading us to – we need a leader with labour values and the guts to take on the Tory lib dem right wing agenda – there is only one candidate with the skill and character to do this and that is Ed Balls. You may well not love him at Progress but he is the only candidate this government fears
Must totally agree with Alex. It is hardly surprising that this article has made the progress headlines. Perhaps Jessica who I assume has used her Blairite influence to manufacture consent. It so pleasing to be able to comment on this website without being censored by David Miliband on his leadership website. My mind is now convinced David is no longer suited for the leader of a 21st century Labour Party. With Ed Milibnad you get a feel for change, with David Miliband I am seeing more of the same Blairite philosophy. That is the real choice for Labour Members
In the hope you are reading this David I am not at all taken in by your propaganda. I am struggling to locate what model of leadership you are utilising. It is certainly not charasmatic. Ed Miliband offers an inspirational change with real people supporting his campaign. David offers a too much, too late, to often philosophy combined with the usual Blairite suspects in close tow.
The following question was posed to David in person
“Tony Blair once coined the phrase Diversity and Choice produces excellence in Education and Public Services, if elected Leader of the Labour Party would you carry on this Third Way philisophy”
Answer DM :- Well that depends………..waffle
Ed Miliband:- There is too much choice in public services but I beleive in choice in the supermarket
A union leader asked if the Tories attacked public service pensions would you stand on the picket line.
Answer:- DM Well that depends….Did not answer the question
Ed Milband : Yes I would if it was for the right reason and have done so in the past.
Well it depends on whether those able to vote ARE bold and courageous enough to make the right choice in Ed Miliband. A candidate is only as good as his backing and support… and boy he has reached every part of society with peanuts not Blairite money
ONE TEAM! ONE TASK! PREVENT THE REINCARNATION OF NEW LABOUR
No to the Millibands… what do they actually know about working class people. Have they ever had a PROPER JOB.. I am so surprised John Cruddas is suporting David.. If Cruddas had stood he would have got my and my branches vote… very dissapionted …
We must vote with our hearts whether we are dooming Labour to 10 years of oposition or not. Labour must get back to the root voters….I am supporting Ed Balls who I believe is a man of the people…..
I’ve left the party so really I do not care it’s been a long time coming, but in the end I’ve looked at all the candidates except for Abbott, and she has no Chance being a women, oh yes Labour throws around MP’s chair to people but when it comes to the leadership Labour needs a men or so they believe.
I will put a bet that in five years time the people of this country will give the Tories another term to see what it can do, I do not think as yet Labour really understands the feeling of the people.
The disabled are work shy scroungers, using up hard working tax payers money, which was then needed to fund the life styles of the Bankers.
Labour did deals in back rooms to pick the next leader, more deals were done in America in back rooms with Bush for wars.
I’ve a feeling that with Miliband the idea is to try and find another Blair, which is fine if you want to sit in opposition for a few terms which is highly possible with Labour, perhaps it hopes the Tories in ten years time will be in such a mess Labour will walk back in and start again or worse carry on where it left off.
I hope that no more deals are being done in back rooms.
I’ve been impressed by what I have seen of all the candidates. However it is only David who has taken action to address the weak state of the Party by starting the Movement for Change and recruiting and training community volunteers. I’m backing him all the way. Progress is a magazine not an organisation so I am not concerned there was no ballot to make this recommendation. I didn’t vote for the Unite nomination either. The only vote that matters is the one coming up anyway. Having said I am voting for David, I am very impressed that Andy Burnham has established a platform for his “aspirational socialism”. In particular his support for Land Value Tax as a progressive replacement for stamp duty is extremely welcome.
he is second Blair and if Labour carries on down this Blairite road, then you better change the name to Tories mark 2 or something. We already have community leaders they are the officials within the CLP who work dam hard, they are the Labour councilors who fight each week against government cuts and the public who ask why the hell should I vote for Labour after the last bloody mess
DM for PM!
DM for PM – I went to a ‘Movement for change’ workshop, it was thoughtful and excellent
I have been to all the five candidates events across the country in hunger for what does the five candidates stood for. For me it was identifying which one is the best candidate to be a creditable leader whilst opposition. Make no mistake the ConDems will last the course while being in power. As a partry we need a leader who can unify all sectons of the party it is for this reasons I say Dont worry be Happy just a suggestion to goto http://gordonlyew.blogspot.com to find out who the “Yes You Can” campaign are supporting
Thanks this actually has just highlighted who I shouldnt vote for in this contest. Both King and Milliband D are losers who will do nothing to inspire people to vote Labour. We need a new generation nationally to inspire and an older generation in London with a vision of what London should be; most of all we need people with the common touch – not a geelky policy wonk or a has been defeated MP
I did the ‘Unlock Democracy’ list of questions which informed me that I was more in political tune with Ed, with David way down the list, beaten by Diane Abbott, even! Heart says David for a better chance of victory, perhaps, but head says Ed for a better Labour Party and he will have time to establish himself as a credible Leader of a Labour Government. Also, I have a liking for Ed Balls but suspect nobody else does or ever will. Interesting to see the vile meejer, you know, the ones that either never supported us or switched in favour of the Lib. Dems, puffing up David. Support from these bastards might sway my vote if I could be sure they are not pulling a fast one.
I saw all 5 candidates at the TUC hustings and David Milliband was outstanding closely followed by Ed Balls. Andy Burnham had some interesting points and Diane was amusing but the weakest candidate was Ed Milliband in my view. I know how I am voting- for the future and electoral success.
I would like to thank David Miliband for coming to the rural constituency of North West Norfolk. If Labour is to progress it needs to reconnect with rural areas. It is the only way we can influence or indeed form a majority County Councils. David enjoyed his two hour visit to the market town of Kings Lynn and addressed 80 party members in the historic St Nicholas Chapel David said the Q&A session was excellent, and he had a very useful enjoyable exchange of views with colleagues So once again David thank you.