I wish to preface this article with the statement that everything you are about to read is simply conjecture. I have no inside knowledge as to whether any of this is a possibility or not. This, in other words, is just a scenario I have completely made up. But it is a possible one, and a fascinating one.
There is a by-election approaching in Batley and Spen following the assassination of the sitting MP, Jo Cox, a few days before the EU referendum took place. All of the main political parties have said they will not contest the by-election, allowing Labour a clear run. A far-right, openly racist party has chosen to ignore this guidance, but they have no hope of winning – it will be a Labour hold.
What if David Miliband chose to contest the seat for Labour? The CLP there could try and stop it, but I wonder if they would. Labour HQ would almost certainly try, but how far into such a debate they would wish to get is questionable, even for them.
David Miliband’s reputation has gone through the roof since his departure from British politics. He is genuinely the prince across the water and his return to UK politics, should he choose to do so, would be greeted with can only be described as ecstatic joy in certain quarters. Given we now have Jeremy Corbyn as the leader of the opposition and Andrea Leadsom has a 50-50 chance of being the next prime minister, Miliband would look like Winston Churchill with some of Superman’s powers in this climate. He would be someone the Gang of 172 could rally round as well.
The question, of course, is why David Miliband would want to do it, other than feeling the need to save the country. It will be a messy job. He will also face Obama syndrome – when people think you’re Jesus, it can be hard to live up to expectations. I can only say to him if he is wavering because of this particular point, that people compare Corbyn with Jesus Christ all of the time and he isn’t even a functional politician in the broadest sense. So don’t worry, David: it’s all about projection anyhow.
Again, as I said at the top, I have no idea if this could ever possibly happen. It would be a glorious thing if it did, for many reasons. However, I shall end on a down note. Having written this, I suddenly feel like it is less likely to happen now. I can see a non-entity of extraordinary proportions shoved into the Yorkshire seat by HQ instead. Please, Labour – some of us need some political hope in our lives. If DM wants a seat, let him have it.
I’m a Conservative by inclination but would actually join the Labour Party in order to vote for David Milliband to be leader of the Labour Party. He is the only credible candidate, from any party, who could stand a chance of winning a General Election without repeating the mistakes of his party from the pre-coalition era. He’ been doing a grown up job in the US and is well respected internationally. And he’ easy on the eye (and ear!!).
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Nick – this is the most important article I have read in months and the only way to save the country
Oh dear. the man had his chance and blew it. the Labour party is riddled with division and it is all very depressing.
Last week I put a bet on for David Miliband for next Labour Leader.
£10 @ 16:1. Odds are now 10:1 and he hasn’t spoken a word yet.
”What if David Miliband chose to contest the seat for Labour? The CLP there could try and stop it, but I wonder if they would. Labour HQ would almost certainly try, but how far into such a debate they would wish to get is questionable, even for them.”
A strange sort of democracy this?
Choose wisely
‘Choose wisely’ is a good first step in neutering democracy. It is easy to sell, appears wise, benevolent even, and who could advocate the opposite? But being admonished to ‘choose wisely’ is quite different to being forced to do so by having ‘experts’ pre-choose your range of choices for you and having your representatives forced to follow the pre-narrowed ‘wise’ choice or choices handed to them by paid-for lobbyists and seconded experts. However I think the Over Class knows ‘Choose wisely’ and Professionalized Governance are not going to be enough on their own – given the scale of unpleasantness which will have to be imposed and maintained on voters if the current structures of power and privilege are to be maintained.
http://www.golemxiv.co.uk/2016/01/re-branding-dissent/
I go back to the 1945 election and am desperately worried about our party. What a blessing it would be if David Milliband returned to lead us. He always stood head and shoulders above his brother. Labour needs him. He has the gravitas others lack.