David Miliband was on Adam Boulton’s show today and described reports that he is manoeuvring for the leadership as ‘fiction’. But his denial of interest in challenging Brown left him plenty of wriggle room :
If Miliband really wants to show that he is not signalling to Labour MPs that he would step in if other people would do the dirty work of getting rid of Brown then he needs to issue a Shermanesque statement.“I am not in the market for any job other than the one I have at the moment.”
Sherman, a Union Civil War General, denied all interest in running for president in1884 with the statement “If drafted, I will not run; if nominated, I will not accept; if elected, I will not serve.” As long as Miliband avoids being this clear about his intentions, the rumours will continue to swirl.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in