LABOUR entered their 2011 autumn conference with a 4% lead over the Conservatives in the polls, 16 months of opposition that has seen an unpopular coalition impose crippling cuts, the break up of the NHS and trebling of tuition fees - this is without mentioning stalled growth and rising unemployment.
Why then, has leader Ed Miliband failed to inspire the millions searching desperately for a credible alternative to the coalition? Polls suggest Britain would much rather have David Cameron in charge, with Miliband's popularity only slightly creeping above the poisonous Nick Clegg. Will this eventually decide the next election? It is clear voters would prefer a Labour government, just not one with Miliband in power. I voted for Mili D, as the majority of members did, and felt so strongly about Ed's victory last September I tweeted "Labour to remain in electoral wilderness for the next 10 years if Ed is elected leader".
He duly was of course, and the past 12 months have seen Ed struggling to prove himself as a powerful leader of opposition. It is no secret that Miliband is yet to discover an aura of authority and respect needed to be a strong opposition leader, yet alone Prime Minister. Whilst initially impressing this summer with his part in the phone hacking scandal, Miliband has rebelled against the unions at the TUC conference, advising them against strike action. Can Ed afford to do this? How much power will he hold within his party should the unions begin to turn against him?
Another action that has seen Ed take one step forward and two steps back has been his decisions to cap tuition fees at 6000 pounds.I was impressed by Miliband for the first time during the student fees demonstrations last year. Many young people began to see Labour not of the party that bankrupted the country, but the only company able to represent the views of modern liberal Britain. Keeping the 3000 cap in fees would have sent a striking reminder to Britain that Ed was the man who would represent those most vulnerable to cuts.
At conference, Miliband continues to look a man uncomfortable with his newly established power. He seems unsure of the direction he wants to take Labour in. We are yet to hear Ed speak of the great successes of the last Labour government, as if the typical Coalition rhetoric of blaming Labour for the Global economic crisis has left Miliband scared to praise his predecessors.
However, the next 4 years until the next general election will be the making or breaking of Ed. Either we will have Ed as Prime Minister, or we will have another Labour politician running for office. I don't expect to see any half measures. If the party does not believe Ed can be the next Prime Minister, they should use the Lib Dems ruthless removal of Ming Campbell in 2007 as a political guidline. Time is running out for Ed to establish himself as the accompolished leader Labour crave, or a wasted 2 or 3 years of Ed leadership.
If the Tories are able to come out of this parliament with a recovered UK economy, they will be in pole position to dominate UK politics for 20 years. Labour have to act soon - Ed or otherwise.
Sony to
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