Labour leader’s comments fuel speculation that David Miliband will not be seeking post in shadow cabinet before nominations close at 5pm
Ed Miliband, the Labour leader, insisted today that his defeated brother David would make a “big contribution” to British politics in the future, in comments that fuelled speculation that the shadow foreign secretary is about to bow out of frontline politics after losing the leadership to his younger brother.
Ed Miliband told BBC Radio 4′s Today programme: “I certainly don’t think you’ve heard the last of him. I think he’s going to make a big contribution in the future.”
David Miliband left Manchester after his brother delivered his keynote speech as party leader yesterday, returning to London on the eve of the deadline for Labour MPs to put their names forward for the shadow cabinet, which closes today at 5pm.
The shadow foreign secretary, who was seen as the frontrunner to win the Labour leadership until a few days before the result was announced, is expected to confirm today that he will not seek to serve under his brother Ed after his devastating defeat on Saturday.
Ed Miliband admitted it had been a “difficult time” for their relationship, but he insisted their love for each other would withstand his brother’s defeat.
He had not stolen the Labour crown from his brother, he said. “It wasn’t me, it was the Labour party that made its decision.”
Asked if he was worried about what he had done to his brother, Miliband told Today: “Of course I worry about him and my family but I think it was right to stand. The biggest obstacle to me standing in this contest was the relationship with David because I thought long and hard about it. But in the end I concluded that if I had something to say which was distinctive, if I felt I would be the best leader for this party, for not me not to stand in these circumstances, would actually be an abdication of responsibility.”
Asked if his older brother’s withdrawal from the frontbench would leave the country poorer, his younger brother told Today: “Absolutely. Our party and our country would benefit massively from David, but, you know, whatever decision he makes today he will continue to make a contribution to British politics and let’s see what he says today, but I certainly don’t think you’ve heard the last of him. I think he’s going to make a big contribution in the future.”
Ed Miliband said today that his opposition to the Iraq war, which had been a dividing line with his brother during the leadership race, was part of the need to acknowledge the errors which had lost Labour the trust of voters. The party needed to show humility on the subject, he said.
“I’m under no illusions about the scale of the challenge we face. The journey begins with humility about our record,” Miliband told Sky News in an earlier interview.
David Miliband did not clap when his brother branded the invasion “wrong” during his speech yesterday, and the shadow foreign secretary asked Harriet Harman, the deputy Labour leader: “You voted for it. Why are you clapping?”
Labour’s other heavyweights were today jostling for position in Ed Miliband’s shadow cabinet. Dozens of MPs are expected to put their names forward for the 19 jobs.
The retirement of some of the party’s big names – including Alistair Darling and Jack Straw – opens up plenty of opportunities and the departure of David Miliband would create another.
When Labour is in opposition its MPs vote to decide who should serve in the shadow cabinet and the leader chooses which jobs to give the 19 successful individuals. A minimum quota of six women has been imposed.
The shadow chief whip will be selected in a separate ballot.
Close allies of Ed Miliband are expected to be the biggest winners, with his leadership campaign manager, the former transport minister Sadiq Khan, tipped for a bigger role.
Harman could be rewarded with a major brief such as health after a solid stint as acting leader. In that case Andy Burnham, who handled health in government, could be shifted to home affairs or justice.
Former ministers Caroline Flint, Rosie Winterton and sisters Angela and Maria Eagle have declared they will stand, while the leftwinger Diane Abbott is a wild-card entrant after her leadership bid.
The trickiest appointment is likely to be the key position of shadow chancellor, which many believe had been earmarked for David Miliband.
His absence could leave the way clear for another defeated leadership candidate, Ed Balls, to get the post he has always coveted.
His wife, Yvette Cooper, could also be in the running for the Treasury brief, opening the prospect of further intra-family competition.
Ed Miliband could attempt to ease tensions and shake off his “Red Ed” nickname by elevating some of his brother’s Blairite backers.
Jim Murphy, the former Scottish secretary who ran David Miliband’s campaign, could be in line for a promotion, while former home secretary Alan Johnson is one of the party’s most popular figures.
Voting takes place between 4 and 7 October, with the results being announced that night at 9pm. Ed Miliband will assemble his team before parliament returns on 11 October. David Miliband Ed Miliband Labour conference Labour party leadership Ed Balls Labour Hélène Mulholland guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds
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