The clash of the Milibands; Could Ed succeed where David failed?

A year on from the Labour Party Conference and what seemed to be strategic manoeuvrings by David Miliband to force a leadership contest, would it be too soon to suggest that Ed Miliband, young brother and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, could succeed where David failed and become leader of the party?

If Labour go on to win the next general election, he may not wish to become saddled leading a party and government which many feel have lost their focus. However, should the party lose, and Gordon Brown steps aside, Ed could be a suitable match to Prime Minister David Cameron in four years time. Both studied at Oxford, both are fathers of young families, and with only three years between the two, some might feel he could bring the much needed vigour lacking in the party at present.  

The recent handling of the UK Low Carbon Transition Plan, which received wide support from green groups and business alike, demonstrates Ed can be trusted with major controversial issues. And his relaxed appearance at Latitude festival this weekend suggests he can not only engage the public, but also win the case for nuclear and other unpopular issues amongs a left-leaning crowd. 

The next Labour Party Conference and the UN summit in Copenhagen in December may well test the Minister’s mettle. Should he come away from the meeting with the right deal, even if Labour fare as badly at the next election as the polls suggest, Ed Miliband may be well placed to reap some reward.