With the Brown premiership on the ropes, Coffee House takes a look at those who might succeed him as party leader. In the run-up to the Labour Party conference this weekend, we’ll be profiling each of the main contenders. And, once we’ve got through them, we’ll give you the chance to vote on which one you think would be the best for Labour. We kick things off with the bookies’ favourite…
David Miliband, 43, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Pros
Youth: According to the “Milibama” strategy, Miliband’s youthful vim and vigour will go some way to rejuvenating the Labour project itself. At the very least, it offers a stark contrast to the dour and puritinical Brown.
Knows policy: Miliband was appointed Tony Blair’s Head of Policy in 1994, becoming the Head of the Prime Minister’s Policy Unit in 1997 – so the implication is that there are few inside the Labour party who understand both policy and the New Labour project better than him.
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