Bit of a Phoney
I read the following opening lines in an article by one of the Labour party's elder statesmen - Roy Hattersly - former deputy leader to Neil Kinnock.
Why Labour chose Ed not David Miliband
David Miliband rejects my pro-state policy ideas as 'Reassurance Labour'.
That's why he's not leader
But just three lines were more than enough for me I have to admit - so I didn't read Roy's opinions all the way to the end.
Because I knew straight away that this former deputy Labour leader - was completely deluding himself.
The reason why Labour chose Ed Miliband is quite simple and it wasn't down to Roy's musings - it was down to the big three public sector unions - GMB, Unison and Unite.
Because the unions ganged up to impose the younger Miliband brother on the party - over the heads of ordinary Labour members.
As Roy knows fine well - David Miliband won the support of the majority of individual party members (and MPs as well) - yet was pipped at the post by the Bubs (Britain's union bosses).
Now there was a time when Roy Hattersly would have regarded such an outcome - as both ridiculous and undemocratic.
But he doesn't anymore and that's part of the reason why the Labour party is in such a terrible state.
Political leaders should become leaders because they are the best person for the job - as voted for by ordinary and individual party members - One Member One Vote.
If a party leader gets into power by some other means - then something is badly wrong - and to my mind that's what people sense about Ed Miliband.
Ed's victory has split the party and whether the 'rules' allowed that to happen - is beside the point.
During the MPs expenses scandal many MPs claimed they were only following the rules - but the rules of course were an insult to common sense and people's intelligence.
Because they allowed and encouraged MPs - to bury their noses in the trough.
So to my mind the underlying problem with Ed Miliband - is that he's bit of a phoney at the end of the day.
Which explains why he's doing so badly in the polls.
