It was fascinating to watch David Miliband's remarks to Harriet Harman, criticising her for voting for the Iraq war and clapping when Ed Miliband said the war was wrong - during his speech to Labour's conference today. David Milliband's face, and that of other colleagues like Jack Straw, showed clear discomfort at Ed Miliband's remarks.
The response of D. Miliband shows that 'Iraq' remains a real fault-line within the Labour Party. Although Ed Miliband's remarks were designed to get a clap in the conference hall, and win over disenchanted activists, it will store up significant trouble in the years ahead. Blairites who supported the war, will not forgive the new Labour Leader for trashing the Blair legacy.
P.S. Even Gordon Brown is said to be furious at his former protege for implicitly criticising his economic record: Ed Miliband said that the former Chancellor and PM had been wrong to say that he would end 'boom and bust'.
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
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