Published: May 23rd 2010 - at 2:28 pm

Neil Kinnock endorses Ed Miliband


by Newswire    

He tells the Observer today:

Ed [Miliband], I think, is very bright, including politically bright. He is hugely energetic. He is fluent. He has got the capacity to inspire people, which we need. And that marks him out as a special kind of young potential leader.

I am certain that he is a modern democratic socialist because he has got strong values and he is very practical. His attitude is that it is no good wandering around with convictions unless you want to put them into practice, and that really is his motivation. And vitally, absolutely vitally, he is comfortable among people of every kind, young and old, men and women, inside and outside the movement. We really do need a leader who can reach out for the rebuilding of the Labour party, but particularly to give coherence to our thinking.

So has the former energy secretary, got qualities to inspire and communicate that his brother lacks? “Yeah,” says Kinnock. “I rate David Miliband very highly and he is also a good guy. I like him very much. I argued for him to be the head of the policy unit at No 10 when Tony [Blair] was prevaricating. But in addition to his high intelligence I think the party needs leadership qualities, and Ed’s got more of them.”

…more at The Observer


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Reader comments


1. Nick Cohen is a Tory

Neil endorsing you
“I’ll get my coat”

2. Bob B

Kinnock, in his capacity as EU Commissioner in 2004, was responsible for sacking Marta Andreasen after she had refused to sign-off the Commission’s (flawed) accounts:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3742148.stm

3. damon

Genuine question. Just wondering …. does Neil Kinnock have any credibility anywhere in Britain, outside perhaps his old South Wales heartland where he may still be fondly remembered?

He pops up now and again on places like Andrew Marr’s show, but who’s listening to that?

4. Bob B

“Genuine question. Just wondering …. does Neil Kinnock have any credibility anywhere in Britain, outside perhaps his old South Wales heartland where he may still be fondly remembered?”

Kinnock, evidently, “passionately believes” that he has wide credibility.

5. Watchman

“I am certain that he is a modern democratic socialist because he has got strong values and he is very practical.”

Can’t help but think that being good at DIY and having unspecified values (I believe David Davis has those…) are not really leadership attributes. One of the inventors of New Labour endorses a New Labour candidate whilst once more failing to indicate what he actually wants to achieve. This is not looking hopeful – remember when the Conservatives finally elected David Cameron (over David Davies) then there was actually clearly set out visions on offer; here there seems to be assertions and mea culpas, and that is all.

6. old_leftie

I was a member of the Labour Party for many years. I left for several reasons. Now I would like to join a political party again. I believe that Trident should be scrapped. I believe that the gas, electricity, water and public transport industries should be renationalized.

Any offers?

7. blanco

@Old Leftie

The Monster Raving Unworkable Old Labour Loony Party is your best bet, mate.

8. chikzik

it is strange that the two foremost candidates for labour leader are related,cant we find someone who doesnt share the same parents


Reactions: Twitter, blogs
  1. Philip Challinor

    Windbag endorses wanker http://bit.ly/95wOwQ

  2. sunny hundal

    RT @libcon: Neil Kinnock endorses Ed Miliband http://bit.ly/95wOwQ

  3. Mike Power

    RT @pchallinor: Windbag endorses wanker http://bit.ly/95wOwQ

  4. Jay Baker

    Good endorsement considering he ('92) got more votes than Blair ('01/'05) RT @libcon: Neil Kinnock endorses Ed Miliband http://bit.ly/95wOwQ

  5. Thomas Earnshaw

    RT @libcon Neil Kinnock endorses Ed Miliband http://bit.ly/9ov1ho

  6. mark dugmore

    RT @libcon: Neil Kinnock endorses Ed Miliband http://bit.ly/95wOwQ

  7. Liberal Conspiracy

    Neil Kinnock endorses Ed Miliband http://bit.ly/95wOwQ

  8. Jay Baker

    Good endorsement considering he ('97) got more votes than Blair ('01/'05) RT @libcon: Neil Kinnock endorses Ed Miliband http://bit.ly/95wOwQ

  9. MusicMP

    RT @libcon: Neil Kinnock endorses Ed Miliband http://bit.ly/95wOwQ





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