Oona King backs Ed Miliband

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

In a blog on her website tonight, Oona King has announced that she’s backing Ed Miliband for leader. Breaking the semi-silence that she has maintained throughout the campaign (saying only that she was supporting Mr Miliband), Oona said she’s backing the candidate who represents change, in a post that seems aimed to chime with her own campaign messages.

There have been whispers in recent days that Oona would come out in support of Ed – perhaps there is some significance that she chose to break the news in such a low key way. Certainly this is a sensitive announcement for Oona, as many of her supporters have aligned themselves with David, rather than Ed, Miliband.

Making the announcement, she said:

“Over the course of my Mayoral campaign, I’ve been asked repeatedly who I’m supporting in the Labour leadership race. Until now, my response was “Mr Miliband”. But as the London mayoral race and the Labour leadership race reach a critical point, it’s time to make a choice.”

“It hasn’t been an easy choice, because I have a lot in common with both the Milibands. I went to the same secondary school as David and Ed – although, to be honest, the link meant little at the time. David was two years above me and Ed was two years below. We had friends in common, but it was the Labour Party not the playground that brought us together.”

“I am voting for the candidate who I believe best represents change, and that means I’m voting for Ed. I know that Ed clearly recognises the mistakes Labour made in the past, and can re-calibrate the way we face the future. When I talked to Ed about my decision this week, he again spoke eloquently about how Labour needs to move forward. And while (as a Doncaster MP) he won’t vote in the London race, he recognises the scale of the change needed across our party for us to win, and the difference a renewed Labour Party can make to London and our country.”

“I also feel that Ed has made the best case for tackling inequalities head on, for example by his support of a High Pay Commission, as well as an emphasis on greater equality, the environment, and working rights.”

Ken Livingstone is supporting Ed Balls, however there have been noises of late to suggest that he too wouldn’t be unhappy with an Ed Miliband leadership. The high turnout across London for the mayoral race could prove a boon to the younger Miliband, if mayoral support transfers across to him. Of course Oona will be hoping that it works the other way – although if you’re expecting Ed Miliband to endorse Oona, don’t hold your breath.