30/09/2010

My Door Is Always Open, Says Labour Leader

New Labour Leader Ed Miliband has described his brother David's decision to step down from frontline politics as both "thoughtful and gracious."

The former Foreign Secretary announced he was standing down because he did not want to distract the Labour party with talk of a split between him and his brother.

Regarding his brothers announcement, the new Labour Leader commented: "while it would have been fantastic to have him serving in my shadow cabinet, he has made a thoughtful and gracious decision.

"It is thoughtful for the family and gracious in terms of the future of the party."

"He is my brother and as leader of my party my door is always open for him to serve either in opposition or in government."

David Miliband commented: "I will serve to my utmost. But staying in the shadow cabinet would be a route to real difficulty.

"Ed needs open field to lead as he sees fit. I will be a loyal supporter from the backbenches.

"It is the cleanest and clearest decision to take, though not the easiest."

Ed Miliband said his party would have been stronger if it included his brother, stating:

"He is a massive talent for our party, and indeed for our country, I'm not going to hide that fact."

"But I think that he is right to have made the decision that he has, it is the right decision for him.

"As for my feelings, I am delighted to be leader of this party, but I am also disappointed for him.

"That is the paradox of this contest."

Closing the party's annual conference, Deputy Leader Harriet Harman said Labour will be "united" and "fortified" by new leader Ed Miliband, following the week of "roller coaster" emotion.

She concluded that losing the general election was "hard" but there was now a "fierce team" running Labour.

(BMcN/GK)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 September 2015
Jeremy Corby Elected New Labour Party Leader
Jeremy Corbyn has been elected the new leader of the Labour Party with a majority of almost 60%. Mr Crobyn beat Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall, taking 251,417 votes in the first round of voting. In his first act as party leader, Mr Corbyn has been selecting his shadow cabinet, with Tom Watson as Deputy Leader.
13 July 2006
MPs briefed on Lord Levy arrest
Deputy Assistant Commissioner John Yates has told MPs this morning that the arrest of Lord Levy for questioning is not a "symbolic" gesture. Lord Levy, 61, the Labour Party's chief fundraiser, was arrested by police investigating allegations of "cash for peerages", but he was later released on bail pending further inquiries.
23 June 2003
Disarray in UUP as three MPs resign party whip
The resignation of three of the Ulster Unionist Party's MPs from the parliamentary whip earlier today was quickly follows by calls for party leader David Trimble to change party policy or resign.
11 May 2010
Government Still Hangs In The Balance
The future of the UK's hung parliament is still unsure as the Liberal Democrats continue to hold out for a better deal with either Labour or the Tories.
27 September 2010
David Miliband Says Party Now Has A "Great Leader"
In his latest speech to the Labour conference, David Miliband has said the party now has a "great leader" in his younger brother Ed. The shadow foreign secretary, added "I'll be fine" before calling for party unity and receiving a standing ovation.