Forget anonymous quotes, we now have a David Miliband op-ed to analyse. In a 900-odd word Guardian article explaining why he believes that “the times demand a radical new phase” in the New Labour project Miliband does not mention Gordon Brown once. (Interestingly, Jack Straw is the only Labour politician Miliband name-checks ). Indeed, the article takes several not-so-subtle shots at the Prime Minister. For instance, Miliband concedes that “With hindsight, we should have got on with reforming the NHS sooner” when everyone knows that it was Brown who blocked NHS reform. In a supposed dig at the Tories he declares that “in government, unless you choose sides, you get found out” but many will take this as a criticism of Brown’s dithering. Miliband also states that the “economic challenge is new” implying that Brown’s experience on this front is not as valuable as leadership loyalists say it is.
The Miliband camp clearly feels the need to show that this time—unlike last time—Miliband has the cojones to go for it hence today’s aggressive move and the stories making clear that James
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