Ben Bradshaw endorses David Miliband

By Alex Smith / @alexsmith1982

I’m only just catching up with the weekend’s news having been away since Friday morning, and aside from the Laws story, one thing that does strike me as significant in the Labour leadership contest is Ben Bradshaw’s endorsement of David Miliband for the leadership in the Guardian.

Bradshaw says:

“In the end, it has to be David. He possesses the most comprehensive range of leadership qualities and he is ready. We don’t just need a leader who can renew and re-energise the Labour movement or make us feel good about ourselves. We need one who is also capable of delivering hard truths to the Labour party when required.”

As one of the small band of former government figures who is liked and respected by many in the wider party as well as in the PLP, Bradshaw’s is an interesting intervention. I know he had been thinking very carefully about his decision – and in fact I had heard he was due to be in the Ed M camp.

With Ed Balls also making it onto the ballot paper on Friday, and with 10 days or so to go until the close of nominations, the contest will now be at least three-way. How the “super-delegates” line up will be important: many expect David Miliband will be favoured in the PLP, Ed Balls in the unions and Ed Miliband amongst the membership. As the race heats up, interventions like this could take on disproportionate significance; notable announcements of support still to come include Liam Byrne, Alistair Darling and others.