A Clear Run
David Miliband has undoubtedly done the right thing - by walking away from a leadership role within the Labour Party.
In doing so he has shown good grace and sound judgment.
Unlike his political opponents inside the Labour Party - who fought a paralysing civil war against Tony Blair's leadership for 13 long years.
What some people like to forget is that Tony Blair won a comprehensive victory in all 3 sections of the Labour Party's electoral college - even though the voting system is plainly bonkers.
He won the clear support of party's MPs, affiliated trade unions and - most important of all - individual party members.
Tony Blair went on to win 3 general elections - the only Labour leader ever to do so.
But this was still not enough for his detractors - the malcontents and goons surrounding Gordon Brown principally - along with union leaders trying to protect their own vested interests.
David Miliband has decided to give his brother and their supporters a clear run - without being second guessed or undermined by a rival leadership from within their ranks.
In doing so David Miliband has turned his back on the old-fashioned, machine politics - that have promoted his younger brother Ed - to his new status as leader of the pack.
What remains to be seen is whether Ed Miliband can show the same leadership and selflessness in his political judgments - because if not, he is doomed to fail.
Party leaders who make the political weather - are testament to the fact that it's not just the winning that counts - ultimately it's how you win - because that's what sorts out the political wheat from the chaff.
In doing so he has shown good grace and sound judgment.
Unlike his political opponents inside the Labour Party - who fought a paralysing civil war against Tony Blair's leadership for 13 long years.
What some people like to forget is that Tony Blair won a comprehensive victory in all 3 sections of the Labour Party's electoral college - even though the voting system is plainly bonkers.
He won the clear support of party's MPs, affiliated trade unions and - most important of all - individual party members.
Tony Blair went on to win 3 general elections - the only Labour leader ever to do so.
But this was still not enough for his detractors - the malcontents and goons surrounding Gordon Brown principally - along with union leaders trying to protect their own vested interests.
David Miliband has decided to give his brother and their supporters a clear run - without being second guessed or undermined by a rival leadership from within their ranks.
In doing so David Miliband has turned his back on the old-fashioned, machine politics - that have promoted his younger brother Ed - to his new status as leader of the pack.
What remains to be seen is whether Ed Miliband can show the same leadership and selflessness in his political judgments - because if not, he is doomed to fail.
Party leaders who make the political weather - are testament to the fact that it's not just the winning that counts - ultimately it's how you win - because that's what sorts out the political wheat from the chaff.
