Party Lines: December 13th

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Speaking at his first monthly press conference, Ed Miliband urged “ashamed” Lib Dems to join him:

“To Liberal Democrats who fear their deal with the Tories is shifting the gravity of British politics to the right, I invite them to work with us against the direction in which this government is taking Britain.”

“There are many people in that party who are deeply frustrated and even ashamed at the way their progressive tradition has been hijacked by the coalition.”

Speaking to the Journal newspaper in the North East, David Miliband said he had “no plans” to return to frontline politics “at the moment”:

“I have no plans to return to frontline politics – at the moment, that is.”

“For now, I’m doing what’s best for the party and leaving the field open for Ed to lead the party.”

“I’ve got to admit I wish the leadership campaign had gone differently but who knows what will happen in the future?”

And in an interview with BBC News, Andy Burnham defended EMA, saying that “all of the evidence” suggested that the scheme had worked:

“It’s made all the difference to them, it’s helped them go into education after the age of 16. But more than that, to fulfil themselves, to focus on their studies and make the most of education.”

“So, all of the evidence says that this has been a good scheme. It’s encouraged people to stay on and that those that’s stayed on its boosted their staying on rate. And also it’s helped people get higher grades.”