David Miliband beats brother Ed in Labour's Edinburgh East primary

Published on Monday 23 August 2010 17:22

DAVID Miliband's campaign to become Labour leader gained some momentum after he won the Edinburgh East primary.

The vote organised by Edinburgh East Labour MP Sheila Gilmore put Mr Miliband's brother Ed as a close second with the other three candidates as distant also-rans.

The primary was seen in the party as a significant development in British politics and was only the second one held for the Labour leadership.

The concept, used in the United States for presidential candidates, was first used by the Conservatives just before the election to select candidates in a few seats where MPs had been sacked over expenses claims.

With 39.4 per cent of the 315 votes cast, David Miliband won a primary for a second time, although his margin of victory was well below the one in Bassetlaw in Yorkshire, where he gained more than 50 per cent of the vote.

It means that Ms Gilmore, who initially nominated Diane Abbott for the contest, will be casting her first preference for David Miliband in the MPs' section of the electoral college used to decide the new leader.

Ed Miliband came second with 34 per cent, Andy Burnham third with 11.1 per cent and Ed Balls and Diane Abbott joint fourth with 7.6 per cent.

The contest was taken seriously by the leadership candidates, who hoped it would help give them some momentum.

David Miliband said: "I am delighted to have won the primary selection in Edinburgh East and will be speaking to as many Labour Party members and supporters as possible across the country from now until the close of the polls.

"People in Scotland know that the Tory-Lib Dem government is risking our economy in ways that causes hurt to them. That is why it is Labour's responsibility to win the next election."

He added: "The Holyrood elections next year will be the first test of Labour and I pledge again to offer any and every help I can to elect Iain Gray as the next First Minister of Scotland."

However, his brother's camp were also pleased with the result, which they believe reflects how the contest will go. They expect David Miliband to win the first preferences, but Ed to come through on second and third preferences.

A spokesman for Ed Miliband's campaign said: "Overall in Scotland, Ed's support is strong among Labour members, trade unionists and Parliamentarians, with currently at least 20 MSPs — almost half of the entire Labour group — supporting his campaign."

Of the 1,000 ballot papers put out to party members in the Edinburgh East constituency, 267 were returned. On top of that 48 people voted by e-mail.

Ms Gilmore said she was delighted with the 26.7 per cent turnout from party members.

"It shows that there is a big interest in getting more involved and having a chance to have a say," she said."Too much of our communication is one-way — us telling people things rather than having a conversation."

Ms Gilmore added: "The result was close in the end between David and Ed Miliband, which perhaps leaves the national race still very open."

Party members also gave their reasons for their choice of candidates.

One David Miliband supporter said: "David is the best man for the job, he is the only candidate who could realistically win the next general election."

Another said that Mr Miliband's experience as foreign secretary had made him the only realistic candidate.

A backer of Ed Miliband wrote: "I like his enthusiasm. I like that he — or his supporters! — sent me a letter to the house. I like that he mentioned Scotland in his wee summary. I am not so keen on the other candidates."