The return of David Miliband

On Wednesday evening, in a packed lecture hall at the University of Kent, David Miliband began his university tour. Questions ranged from the Eurozone (‘yes it is sustainable’), to tuition fees (‘it wouldn’t be just for Labour to scrap them’) to whether Katie Price would do a better job than Ed (a simple ‘no’ sufficed).

Not surprisingly, the after-speech private reception with Kent Labour Students was slightly more candid. What is becoming clear is what David’s role in any future Labour government is likely to be. As he put it, “you don’t turn down the chance to be in government”; if he is asked to make a return to frontbench politics he will most likely do so. But only when the time is right.

Studying David Miliband’s current position in the party is compelling. He himself called it a ‘unique situation’, touching on a divisive loyalty to both his brother and the Labour Party he clearly loves. He threw a lot into the leadership contest but has been unwilling to do the same whilst in opposition. That is particularly shrewd, and a signal of intent for the future. It is clear he still has the ambition to lead the party, and his most recent endeavours have placed him in a distinct place within it.

In returning to grassroots politics through Movement for Change, he is involved in training thousands of community organisers which will help us fight the next election. This, plus his tour of universities, seems to be detached from the leadership but in tune with the party.

In taking these campaigns to the public directly, David is speaking on behalf of the Labour Party but with a style not like that of his brother. I am not suggesting that he is forming an alternative ‘opposition to opposition’ – that clearly isn’t the case – but what he is achieving is a connection with youth that Ed desperately needs. He operates outside of the Shadow Cabinet but is involved in a breathtaking amount of extra work to bring voters back to the party.

A similar drive towards public recognition is being made by the Labour Students wing of the party. Disaffection with the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives after the last election led to many joining us under reduced rate memberships. That has filtered through into universities, many of which have expanding Labour societies. Kent Labour Students, for example, is the fastest growing society on campus – a collective voice for progressive students, in an age of conservatism. It is inspiring to see – a group which started out at 3 or 4 members now has over 60.

The Living Wage campaign backed by Labour Students is precisely what Labour needs. It needs that energy only progressive, centre-left parties have. Labour as a movement needs that compassion for others which led to the NHS, the minimum wage and gay rights.

Labour Students are taking that into a contemporary setting. The Living Wage campaign urges not for a minimum wage but a living wage to be paid to University staff; the invisible engine of every higher education institution. It is a fair and just symbol of an outward reaching Labour party.

Are Labour out of touch? Not at all. David Miliband is showing exactly what Labour Students are showing – a compassion for the public, not just ourselves. That really is progressive.