#EM4Leader: good reading material

July 8th, 2010

Plenty of Labour members are still mulling over their Labour leader options, and I am glad that they have been given the space and time to do so. After all, we’re not just looking for a Leader of the Opposition, important though that is. We’re looking for a Prime Minister, someone who understands their people, and can represent them with competency, honesty and dedication at all levels. As you are aware, I believe that Ed Miliband is the best candidate for that job, and here’s a bit of reading (and watching) material that says why:

Pushing for equality in marriage, overturning the gay blood ban and tackling homophobia in Pink News.

Ed tells Decca Aitkenhead of the Guardian of why we must end the politics of triangulation, and why we can’t blame the electorate for Labour’s election loss.

In a frank and extensive interview with the New Statesman, Ed talks about future coalitions, and why we can’t allow the spectre of New Labour to close down debate.

In an interview with Polly Toynbee, Ed talks about being a constructive opposition, his stance on Iraq and why climate change must remain high on the agenda:

Ed speaks to the Western Morning News about the rights of agricultural workers, and why constituency boundaries should respect local identities.

Why Ed thinks that a graduate tax would be a more effective way of funding University educations, and a fairer alternative.

Here’s when Ed Miliband weighed in on the prison reform debate. “I don’t think we should try to out-right the right on crime.”

Left Foot Forward interview: Ed talks in depth about the economy, climate change, and why inequality should always be a priority.

LibCon interview: Ed talks about mutualism, feminism and being British and English.

When Ed spoke on the role of the state, the individual and the future of social democracy, it represented an important shift in his leadership campaign – why tackling inequality was his priority, how he envisaged our economy of the future and why we should all be able to choose to work to live, rather than being forced to live to work.

His response to the BP oil crisis reveals his long-term outlook and global wisdom.

An excellent piece of debate, supported by Rachel Reeves, where Chris Huhne’s economic scaremongering is torn to pieces:

Endorsements from Neil Kinnock and Tony Benn.

“I would keep the top rate of income tax at 50p permanently”

An interesting piece in the New Statesman that confirms the whispers pre-election – Ed wanted to be more radical in the 2010 manifesto.

It already feels like so long ago when Ed announced his candidacy, and he has emphasised the message of fairness and how that must inform all of our policy consistently since that time. But I think this clip also shows something else about Ed, that is, how he makes people feel: inspired, secure and happy.

Speech to the 2009 Labour Party conference: