After today's Labour leadership result, it is interesting that reports are already emerging of divisons within the Party. The Blairites feel that their legacy has been crushed by the powerful union vote for Ed Milliband - which ensured his victory over brother David. Not only are there disagreements between Blairites and E/Millibandites but neo-Brownites/Ballsites and D/E/Millabandites aren't the best of friends either.
It will be interesting to see whether Ed Milliband will be 'a Nixon in China' type leader, willing to sacrifice the union barons who put him to power, in order to try and move Labour back to the centre-ground. Will Labour remain the party of deficit deniers, or develop their own programme that acknowledges drastic action is needed to rescue our bankrupt economy? The easier option will be a lurch to the left - to retreat into a 'core vote' comfort zone, spurred on by left wing activists and union militants ranting about 'Tory cuts'.
Thus far the signs don't look good. Union leaders take to the airwaves proclaiming victory, and Neil Kinnock is back on our TVs - in somewhat triumphalist fashion. To add to 'Red Ed's' election, Red Ken has also once again been chosen as the Party's candidate in London - beating the more moderate Oonagh King.
It looks like Tony Blair's journey has ended where it began: Old Labour.
P.S. No surprise to see Gordon Brown urging Labour not to get involved in the blame game and concentrate on the future. He doesn't want anyone to point the finger at his own record. Labour's failure to conduct a real post mortem on its election loss, will haunt the party in the years to come.
by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com
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