Miliband Will Be Leader!

(Image by Nick Drew)

As things stand, I understand that only the two Miliband brothers have formally announced their candidature for the Labour party leadership. Others (apart from Ed Balls and Andy Burnham) have ruled themselves out, including, today, Jon Cruddas – which I feel is a shame.

Not only would I wish them to have a broader (and better!) choice, I believe that there is at least one who would be better than any of the "usual suspects".

I have mentioned before that I thought Jon Cruddas could make a good leader, even though he claims he hasn't the right qualities for the job. I have commented in similar vein at the linked Politics Home article. He is straighter, and more able to take the party forward, than any of the old guard.

For Britain, it is true that it would be best for Labour to kill itself off as it is too damaged now to ever have credibility again, and is too packed with the wrong type of person, and with too much influence from the big (especially public sector) Unions.

However there is no suitable replacement in the offing as yet, so it would be healthier for Labour to keep going for a while, under a leader who comes in without carrying the baggage that other contenders are bringing with them, and with more gravitas and intellect than the Miliband brothers (despite Ed's media training that gave his campaign launch the appearance of such).

Meanwhile, I read that brother David has recently been around these parts, in Rochester...

In the final analysis, it has to be admitted that either Miliband would definitely be better than Ed Balls. I suppose that choosing Ed Miliband would at least give Labour an Ed and a Miliband as leader...