A day in the race: June 24th

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

After a football dominated day yesterday, the leadership sprang back into life again today, as the candidates continued to digest the impact of cuts, and refine their attacks on both Tories and Lib Dems.

ED MILIBAND today continued his attacks on the Lib Dems, whilst encouraging them to vote against the Budget. He said that Simon Hughes’ comments on “amending” the budget shows that cracks are appearing in the coalition. He told the BBC News Channel that the budget:

“hits the poorest hardest and has all kinds of changes which are really going to make life more difficult for people.”

Today Ed also released a leaflet on his website, which his team are encouraging supporters to download and share themselves. His team have also released the following video of Ed in Southwark, campaigning in Simon Hughes’ seat against Lib Dem support for the budget – which he plans to continue in two Lib Dem held seats this weekend.

DAVID MILIBAND was out and about near Chester this morning, visiting an Airbus factory. He later continued his recent attacks on Nick Clegg – we can add “non-speaking part in government” to “dumb waiter” and “nodding dog”. If someone is writing these insults for David then they deserve a pat on the back – they’re all been sticking in the memory so far.

David was lauded by techwatch.co.uk today for his use of Twitter. Second only to Nick Clegg in the site’s estimations, they said Miliband:

“uses Twitter a lot to let people know about what’s happening in and around the political arena.”

DIANE ABBOTT was awake bright and early this morning and on fighting form, laying out in stark terms the reality of budget cuts:

“IFS says UK faces six consecutive years of public spending cuts, will more than wipe out ALL the increases under 13 years of Labour”

As I said yesterday Twitter is a good medium for her, and since she seems to lack the organisation and funds of her opponents, she should utilise this free and simple method of communicating with her supporters.

Paul Waugh has written today about Diane’s expenses, and what could potentially be a minor story about taxi costs. However it doesn’t look like this story has legs yet.

ED BALLS today continued in his role as the leading attack dog amongst the candidates. Responding to Cameron and Clegg’s letter asking public sector workers to suggest cuts, Ed said:

“Millions of public sector workers will not fall for this latest Cameron-Clegg con. They’ve just been told that their pay is to be frozen, their pensions undermined and that they must bear the brunt of these unfair and reckless cuts.”

“David Cameron said there would be no cuts to frontline services and Nick Clegg said these cuts would be fair. Those promises have already been broken and people will not fall for this gimmick designed to give the illusion that there is public support for these savage cuts to our vital frontline services.”

Balls also focused his anger on the Lib Dems in an article for the Mirror, saying:

“How can the Liberals vote for that kind of unfairness, not to mention the terrible cuts in public services, child benefit, housing benefit, tax credits and free school meals?”

Tonight Ed will be appearing on Question Time, before heading tomorrow to Dudley, Sandwell and Birmingham.

ANDY BURNHAM continued today in a similar vein to yesterday by defending health and social care. Reacting on twitter to government cuts, Burnham said:

“If ConDems cut councils by 25%, & freeze CT, social care will fall over. Frail pay more, huge pressure on carers. Need mother of campaigns.”

His website though still lacks content, and hasn’t been updated for a week now.