Thousands have converged on London today, to march against the monolithic evil of ‘cuts’. They have not stated an alternative, a fact that led Phil Collins to write an eloquently savage critique in yesterday’s Times (£). That the protesters are incoherent beyond blanket opposition to the government is not really an issue: as this morning’s lead article in the Guardian argues, the Hyde Park rioters of 1866 weren’t brandishing drafts of the Second Reform Bill. But it’s intriguing that Ed Miliband has decided to address this rally, thereby endorsing it.
The Labour party hierarchy recognises that it is taking an enormous and perhaps totally unnecessary risk. First, Ed Miliband’s oratory is not in the same league as that of Michael Foot, Jim Callaghan and Harold Wilson. He may fail to make the desired impact; but even if he does, what is to be gained from addressing an avowedly left-wing gathering? Once the echoes of the megaphones recede, all that will remain is silence. This may add to the sense that Labour’s decent performance since November is in spite of the new Labour leader. Yesterday, Westminster hummed to rumours of a Labour ‘wobble’ over Miliband and Balls. These should always be taken with several draughts of salt, but it is the hidden context in which Miliband will speak.
The greatest danger to Miliband, however, is that he can’t distance himself from the protesters. As Pete noted yesterday, Miliband’s approach to opposition is maturing. But all of that can be undone if he is identified with the rabble-rousing union leaders who fund his party, the elected face of a sectional interest. And ‘Stop the Cuts’ is an increasing marginal stance. Anthony Wells reports on the latest ICM poll, which suggests that public opinion is increasingly behind the government’s programme: a testament to George Osborne’s political acumen, which dominated his rather mild Budget earlier this week. If Miliband keeps taking risks with low yields, Osborne’s tactical job will become easier.
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