Cruddas backs David Miliband
By Ian Dunt
One of the key figureheads of the left of the Labour party has backed David Miliband, in a surprise move which upsets the leadership contest.
Jon Cruddas, considered by many to be leadership material himself and a strong influence on the left of the party, announced his decision to the New Statesman
“I disagree with him [David] on a lot of policy but I think, in terms of the nature of the leadership that’s needed, he’s beginning to touch on some of those more profound questions that need to be addressed head-on,” he told the magazine.
“What is the nature of the reckoning? We should not just be running from the record but having a nuanced approach to some of the things that went wrong, as well as defending the things that went right.”
The former runner for the deputy leadership also implicitly attacked Ed Miliband, who was today engaged in a war of words with his brother over attempts to encourage Liberal Democrat voters to join Labour.
“I think it’s definitely a mistake to attack the Liberals,” Mr Cruddas said.
“We should have a much more subtle approach to this, because what we’re seeing is the first major political realignment following the economic crisis. The question is: what is the equivalent centre-left response to this moment of rupture?
“Attacking the Liberals is wrong. There’s a danger of us spraying too much lead across the forecourt and not really thinking about how we need to regroup,” he continued.
“We need to have respect for and show courtesy towards different traditions as part of an overall, plural realignment across the centre and the left – that’s what’s going to be needed.”
The move complicates the stereotype of David Miliband securing centrist support and Ed Miliband securing left-wing support, but it also suggests that the younger sibling may be losing some of his momentum.
David Miliband has managed to get the backing of two former ministers – Kevan Jones and Tom Clarke – from the Brownite wing of the party, suggesting he is expanding his support.
