David Miliband criticises brother's UK election approach

[webfact]

David Miliband won't run for Labour Party leader in UK

LONDON (AP) — David Miliband has criticized his brother Ed Miliband's failed campaign to become Britain's prime minister, but says he won't run for Labour Party leader now that his younger brother has stepped down.

David Miliband told the BBC in New York Monday that voters "didn't want what was being offered" by Labour when they gave a majority victory to Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservatives. The result, he said, was "devastating" for the progressive cause.

David said that his brother Ed, like former Prime Minister Gordon Brown during the 2010 election, allowed himself to be portrayed as "moving backwards from the principles of aspiration and inclusion."

Ed defeated David in a battle for the party leadership in 2010. David, a former foreign secretary, later resigned from Parliament to head the International Rescue Committee in New York, and says he remains committed to that job.

David said he had been in touch with Ed since the election, and praised him for showing "enormous dignity and courage" in the face of bruising attacks during the campaign, which saw the Labour Party's support in Scotland crumble in the face of nationalist gains.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-05-12

[colinneil]

Labour party members made a stupid mistake when they appointed Ed as leader and not David Milliband.

[vogie]

Labour party members made a stupid mistake when they appointed Ed as leader and not David Milliband.

You are right, but I thought it was the unions block voting that defeated David.

[Ebenezer]

You are right that it was the unions, Unite and Unison in particular, using their block votes that ensured that Ed rather than David was elected as Labour party leader. The unions paid the piper and consequently called the tune.

[Cats4ever]

Don't underestimate the role played by News International. I strongly recommend Hack Attack by Nick Davies to those who wonder about power and influence.

[bartender100]

Although very happy with the result, I did end up liking Ed as a person, his heart was in the right place i think.

[Basil B]

Funny how the Labour Party always turns on it leaders instead of the lunatics and thugs in the party that attacked the police and defaced a war memorial over the week end.

[cookee68]

Although very happy with the result, I did end up liking Ed as a person, his heart was in the right place i think.

Shame his brain wasnt