'I'm after the Blair people we lost,' says Ed Miliband

Published on Sunday 16 May 2010 21:37

LABOUR leadership contender Ed Miliband has said he wants to win back the voters who were attracted to Tony Blair in 1997.

The former energy secretary, who is competing against his older brother, David, called for Labour to "reconnect with the people we lost".

He said: "We lost different groups in the population. We lost people who have been traditionally Labour voters over issues such as immigration.

"I think we also lost the voters Tony Blair attracted in 1997 and I would want to win them back.

"I would try and bring my sense of idealism and values, my sense of empathy and my ability to reach out and understand people's lives, and my ability to unite the party."

Ed Balls is expected to join the race this week. Ex-health secretary Andy Burnham and left-winger Jon Cruddas are also known to be canvassing support. Candidates must be backed by 12.5 per cent of the parliamentary party to stand.

Tom Harris, MP for Glasgow South, said: "I think we need a rule change. It's different when you have an incumbent, then 12.5 per cent is right, but the threshold is challenging when you want a wider contest."

Yesterday, polls by ICM and Ipsos Mori put David Miliband favourite with 32 per cent, while his brother was third on 9 per cent. Despite ruling herself out, Harriet Harman, former deputy PM, was second on 11 per cent.