Leader: Ed Miliband in a mess of his own making

Published on Wednesday 18 January 2012 01:23

THE Labour Party was the creation of the trades unions, but the relationship between the two wings of what was once known as the Labour Movement has rarely been easy, as Ed Miliband has discovered.

Yesterday the Labour leader, who owes his position to unions which backed him ahead of his brother David, was forced to bite the hand that fed his political ambition.

Under attack from two of Labour’s main union backers over accepting the coalition government’s public sector pay restraint, Mr Miliband was forced scornfully to dismiss the criticism his stance would lead to an election defeat, saying he was facing up to political reality. Mr Miliband was right to do so, but the fact he has been forced to speak out shows he is in the wrong place politically.

Tony Blair was able to be more independent because he raised more money from the private sector, though that created different problems, and because he was seen as certain to win an election. With private funding dwindling, and few seeing him as a potential prime minister, Mr Miliband does not speak from a position of strength.

But this is not just a problem for the Labour leader. The unions are in danger of overplaying their hand. If Mr Miliband gave in to them, moderate voters would fear the unions had once again come to dominate the Labour Party – something which, for good or ill, may damage its electoral chances. However, even if he is correct to resist union pressure, having to extricate himself from this mess of his own making is a further blow to Mr Miliband’s already faltering leadership.

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glassbenmhor

Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 12:02 AM

2012 George Younger Prize for the brightest young Schemer , goes this year to Murdo Fraser.........polite rippling applause in the auditorium that contrasted with the sour face of Ian McMillan!

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glassbenmhor

Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 11:55 PM

2012 Keir Hardie prize for Truth, joint winners Henry McLeish and Malcolm Chisholm....................and the crowd roared approval!

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