Ed Miliband makes his first move
By Ian Dunt
Ed Miliband made his first move to take control of the Labour party today, when he told Nick Brown he did not want him for the chief whip role.
Jim Fitzpatrick was also forced to give up on his attempt to become deputy chief whip.
Instead, Ed Miliband asked Rosie Winterton to stand. She is doing so unopposed.
“As you know I intended to stand for election as chief whip,” Mr Brown said in a letter released today.
“During our meeting earlier today you indicated that you wished me not to do so. The chief whip must have the full confidence of the party leader. I fully respect your wishes and will no longer be standing for the position.”
Mr Brown, a key ally of Gordon Brown, had moved to consolidate his position in recent days. He had served as deputy and chief whip under the former prime minister and most pundits thought Ed Miliband would struggle to stop him getting the post again.
While the two men had no particular problems with each other, party leaders are loathed to rely on chief whips with an alternate power base below then and the move will cement the Ed Miliband’s grip over the party.
It will help convince many sceptics that he should not be underestimated but may also contribute to the view, sparked by his decision to run against his brother and jibes against former ally Gordon Brown yesterday, that he is ruthless.
A total of 49 MPs are running for shadow Cabinet.
