Thankfully, David Miliband has told us all what his intentions are. The press has succeeded in making the past few days uncomfortable as they pushed speculation about if he would stay in the front line, or go to the back benches. In many ways, it is the media who are pushing to make it a big deal, but it has also been on the minds of Labour Members. While I think he would have been great in the Shadow Cabinet, but I also think he has shown a great understanding of what is good for the future of the party and it takes a big man to make such a selfless move. As he points out, he will still be there, but the episode with Harriet yesterday is a good example of what could have been and what would have been damaging.
I think we have a lot to thank David for, as a party and a country, and this decision is part of that. Thank you.
He, and we, can now properly move on. Ed Miliband has again urged members to get by the New Generation of Labour. A lady on the Podium at the Leaders Q&A highlighted what this really means, she told us she was 77, but part of the new generation and I think she is absolutely right. Its not about age, but a new way of thinking and a rebirth of the Labour Party that can learn from the past, and work for the people of Britain to a better future.
Apparently we have had 2000 new members of the Labour Party since Saturday and 35,000 since the general election. These are the people who have been bold and stepped forward, however, there are many others who are thinking about it and it is time for us to go to them and help them realise that joining a political party is not a scary thing to do, and that everybody can make a difference.