Yesterday, in The Daily Mail, James Chapman appeared to suggest that Labour plans were afoot to force Gordon Brown to quit which could be followed by a subsequent leadership contest, in which the Foreign Secretary Mr Miliband could run for Prime Minister with Health Secretary Mr Johnson as his deputy. I agreed with his analysis. (The Times has just caught up with the story and Miliband writes for The Guardian today). Although most other parts of the press were not as forthcoming with precise details on likely Labour plans, it appears that today the Miliband issue is well worth considering.
Johnson always rules himself out as leader automatically, whilst Miliband offers a cogent and defence of the Labour cause. From his discussions on the floor of the House of Commons through to blogging through to communicating with the electorate, he is (rather worryingly) a powerful force in the Labour Party. Others including Harman and Straw have also been seen as possible contenders, but in my view, they are too weak in different respects. And they all know that Brown is otherwise leading a Government destined for defeat.
Apparently, one party “grandee” has told the Daily Mail yesterday, “It is still very early but a Miliband- Johnson ticket is one option being spoken about. There is a large group of MPs who know the situation is pretty dire but believe there is not an awful lot to do other than go down to defeat at the next election with Gordon Brown as leader. But there is a very large and growing minority who think we have got to think about changing the leader. Obviously it will require at least a couple of Cabinet ministers, junior ministers and some other senior figures to tell Gordon his time is up. Frankly, they will not be difficult to find.”
It will alter the way in which the Government will operate if the agile, plainspoken and young David Miliband were thrust in as leader. The Conservatives will need to be prepared for that change, as he is not like Gordon Brown and has the potential popular appeal of Blair at least when stepping out to defend Labour policies. Even on the most indefensible matters of the Lisbon Treaty, Europe and foreign affairs, he has always put forward the case (the most appealing case) where most in the Commons have said nothing or stumbled horrifically. Although many have begun to see Labour as irreversibly heading for defeat, such a change of leadership could severely change its chances of success at the next general election; with obvious and important implications for the Conservative Party.