Alan Johnson says “I have never stood for the leadership of my party – and I never will”

Alan Johnson has once again ruled himself out of the running to be Labour leader, either now or in the future. And this time it could not be more conclusive, with Johnson writing in the Guardian that “I have never stood for the leadership of my party – and for the avoidance of doubt, regardless of the circumstances, I never will”.

Johnson’s piece emerged after a PLP meeting in which there were 23 speeches – all of which were supportive of Miliband. His former Shadow Chancellor, Home Secretary and Home Secretary’s piece is largely an attack on the Tories for their failure in office, but the most notable section is his praise for Miliband’s tenure as Labour leader:

“Ed Miliband is entitled to expect our loyalty. The Labour leader has declined to follow David Cameron down the populist path to economic uncertainty, and he has refused to commit Britain to an arbitrary in-or-out referendum on the European Union. This referendum would have nothing to do with the national interest and everything to do with Cameron’s failure to lead his fractious party.

Indeed, Miliband’s courage in standing up to vested interests has been remarkable, and his analysis of the issues at stake – in what will truly be a watershed election – has been astute.

Nowadays it seems to be rather unfashionable to focus on ideas and values in a world that is obsessed by celebrity and personality. However, I believe that Miliband is the only party leader who can promise real and lasting change, rather than a return to business as usual. He is the only political leader who can stop a retreat from the consensus of decency that has traditionally characterised Britain’s role in the world.”

This isn’t the first time that Johnson has ruled himself out of a future leadership bid – he did so last week, and not once but twice last month – but this should be the last time he needs to do so.