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I’m grateful to Gordon Brown for steering the economy through the difficult waters we all encountered in recent years.  It was a very tough ride for the government, when the world economy teetered on a precipice it was imperative that government made the right decisions.  Difficult decisions that were monumental in terms of negating the impact on all of us.  I’m glad Gordon Brown was in the position to make the decisions. While his were correct and accurate Cameron/Osbourne made all the wrong calls in opposing them.  No-one lost their savings, there were few repossessions and people were protected, however the next two years will demonstrate if the Tories are as brutal as they said they would be.

Having lost the election, the Labour party now needs to make a decision about the future.  The party has enjoyed a massive membership boost, which is remarkable, very useful and extremely welcome.  The Tories did not win outright and are Liberally compromised, meanwhile Labour are a healthy size and shape to present a convincing opposition and fight a comeback.  This presents a fertile platform where the ground is prepared beautifully for the next leader to build from the successes of the past without being tied to anything or anyone.

The leadership debate has energised and excited the local party structures, everyone wants a hustings near them, everyone wants to debate who it should be and why.  It’s a sure sign of the vulnerability of the coalition that they wish to change the rules in Parliament to prevent MPs kicking them out.  This is a weak government.  Alongside this there were many gains in Local Government for the Labour Party, winning back control over Leeds city council from a Lib-Con coalition to name one.

It’s also a great sign of the health of the party that the Miliband brothers are standing against each other.  Wonderful in that in the future we wont have factions, we will have healthy debate and then unity in the party, where differences evaporate in the pursuit of common goals.  The Labour movement will be stronger and better for it, with a more coherent understanding of itself and what it can achieve and all our roles in that.

I’m going to back David Miliband and my reasons are simple.  He has the head start of being a household name and many friends of mine and people on the doorstep said they would vote Labour if he was the leader.  I don’t think we can underestimate the reach a candidate needs to have with the wider public, David Miliband is streets ahead of other candidates on this front.  Why is this?  Well I think that people relate to him easily and quickly, naturally trust him, he comes across as extremely clever but is accessible.  He has developed a reputation with foreign leaders and from his ministerial experience has the international credibility necessary to lead the country, he is statesman-like and impressive.  But most of all it is because I think people would vote for him, and I want to see a Labour government back in power.

I do think Ed Miliband is brilliant, he’s a passionate communicator – in conferences, meetings and on the TV and wildly talented in policy and governance, you cannot doubt his abilities and commitment.  However he has not had the level of exposure and media coverage as his brother.  These two brothers could both unify the party and maximise on Labour’s opportunities, but David for me is the front runner.

Whoever wins, this is an exciting time which is an opportunity for growth.  Learn more, sign up to David’s campaign AND join the Labour party by clicking this link.   http://www.davidmiliband.net/

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