A day in the race: August 24th

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Today was eventually dominated by the news that the Camerons have given birth to their fourth child. However in the leadership race the Camerons’ latest child is just a sideshow, with a legal threat against the government, videos and a visit to a book festival…

ED MILIBAND was in the north east today, holding a meeting in Easington this evening. Ed wrote an open letter to Lib Dem voters, which was published in the Guardian this morning, and Neil Kinnock wrote an article expressing strong support for Ed in the Mirror.

Ed released his “text video” today on YouTube. The text video was sent to thousands of party members and supporters to watch on their phones:

Later today, Ed sent out an email to supporters encouraging them to submit a living wage motion to conference through their CLPs. This co-incided with the introduction of a new set of tools designed to help guide volunteers through the process. The email said:

“Now, with Labour Party conference just a few weeks away, I need your help to put the Living Wage at the top of our party’s agenda when we gather in Manchester in September.”

“With dozens of Constituency Labour Parties all across the country voicing their support for this initiative, we can galvanise our whole party to lead on the Living Wage nationally – and to show that the Labour Party is still the best force for transformative good in our country.”

“Don’t worry if you’ve never submitted a contemporary resolution before – we’ve got all the information and resources you’ll need for every step of the process.”

DAVID MILIBAND was today celebrating his 100th MP supporter, as Nic Dakin, Kevan Jones and Tom Clarke all switched their support to David from Andy Burnham. Reacting to the news on his website, Nic Dakin said:

“David has the experience, the ideas and the understanding of the need to engage with Labour Party members, supporters and the wider movement that will be necessary to win the battles ahead. Additionally, David is supported by both Alan Johnson and Alastair Darling, two politicians for whom I have the greatest respect. He knows that Labour must learn from its mistakes and build on its successes if it’s to win the public’s hearts and minds. This demands a new style of leadership that will maximise all the talent available across the Labour Movement – I am confident that he will provide this with energy, purpose and enthusiasm.”

David also announced what he is trailing as “the biggest event of the campaign so far”, the Movement for Change National Assembly on Bank Holiday Monday, August 30th, from 4-6.30pm.

This evening David has been holding an event with councillors, before attending a Chinese for Labour event, where he spoke about the UK’s relationship with China.

ED BALLS was speaking to BBC News today as GCSE results were announced, and said:

“The credit goes to the young people themselves and the teachers. They made the difference, they worked hard but of course all the investment which has gone in in the last 12 years: the brand new buildings, the best generation of teachers we’ve ever had is making a huge difference as well but it’s the hard work of the students. And there’ll be some people today who will say well if the results have gone up that must mean there’ll be dumbing down, it’s easier, and I think we should all say loud and clear what complete and utter nonsense. The reason why the results are getting better is because our students are working harder and they’re getting better taught.”

His campaign have also set out the details of a major speech that Ed will be giving on Friday morning, called “The case against the growth deniers.”

Ed will explain:

“why Labour must have the confidence and strong leadership to set out an economically credible alternative to boosts jobs and growth which will better support our economy, society and public finances.”

DIANE ABBOTT visited the recent Edinburgh book festival attending a talk given by economist Joseph Stiglitz who heavily criticised the coalition’s cuts, comparing them to the economics of Hoover that brought about the US recession.

Diane welcomed the decision by the Home Office to stop a march by the English Defence League (EDL) in Bradford over the August bank holiday weekend. Abbott said:

“Britain is a tolerant country and we need to make sure that people’s voices are heard but in a way that does not endanger community relations. It was a shame that I had to leave the UAF meeting in Nottingham via the back door because the English Defence League decided to ruin what had been an otherwise productive meeting.”

“The EDL only want to march in Bradford to stir up bad feeling. I am pleased the Home Office has banned their demonstration but there is still the risk of violent clashes if some sort of demonstration goes ahead. We need to celebrate our country’s diversity, not allow narrow minded people to condemn it.”

ANDY BURNHAM reacted today to news that Unison are planning legal action against the government over plans to restructure the NHS. In a statement, Andy said:

“There is no democratic mandate for the break-up of the NHS. It is that simple. I don’t believe there are many, if any, of the seven million people who voted Lib Dem who support the Government’s plans.”
“As the Coalition Agreement explicitly ruled out a top-down NHS reorganisation, these dangerous plans represent one of the biggest and quickest u-turns in political history. “

“So Unison are quite right to launch this action. The gains in the NHS have been hard won and cannot be thrown away by this high-handed and arrogant government. Patients tell us they do not want a return
to a postcode lottery and longer waits but that is precisely what these plans will lead to.”