The Miliband Dilemma

Brother Blackburn’s suggestion that David Miliband risks, perhaps, being something of a Labour version of William Hague should he succeed Gordon Brown. And Danny Finkelstein’s column arguing that Miliband should change his mind and put himself forward for the post of EU High Representative is, in many, many ways, compellingly persuasive.

But if Miliband were to go to Brussels he might find himself all alone. His enemies in the Labour Party are unlikely to look kindly on Miliband serving a term as High Representative before returning to Britain, finding  safe seat, and strolling into Westminster to become the next-but-one leader of the Labour Party. Meanwhile, he might find that he has fewer friends and supporters than once he did as some may not forgive him for – in their eyes – deserting the party when it needed him most.

So Miliband finds himself in a tricky position in which Man and Moment are ill-matched.