David Miliband lacks killer touch - so don't expect a comeback

WHATEVER Ed Miliband might be saying publicly, the departure of his brother David from British politics will have come as a big relief to the Labour leader.

David's decision to move to New York to run the International Rescue Committee will end the damaging sibling rivalry at Westminster, leaving Ed a free run at the next General Election without sniping by the ex-Blairites who backed David for the party leadership.

It will also give the Labour leader a guaranteed by-election win at South Shields - one of the safest Labour seats in the country, which David retained at the 2010 election with a majority of 11,109 – and the sort of victory parade Labour could do with.

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There is speculation in the Twittersphere this morning that a celebrity candidate might be chosen. Candidates include Kevin Maguire, a regular TV pundit and associate editor of the Daily Mirror, the red-top that got the scoop late yesterday about David's decision to quit. (Miliband confirmed his decision in a letter to his constituency this morning.)

But the South Shields Gazette tips a local councillor, Iain Malcolm, with a sideswipe at David and a warning against another Labour "star" being awarded the seat: "He [David] has long faced criticism in South Tyneside for the fact he was 'parachuted in' to the safe Labour seat in 2001, when he succeeded Dr David Clark as the town's MP. As a councillor since 1988, Coun Malcolm would face no such criticism."

So what did Ed say when the news broke (David's decision had been known for days in Ed's camp)?

A statement reads: "Having spoken to him a lot over the past few months, I know how long and hard he thought about this before deciding to take up the offer. I also know how enthusiastic he is about the potential this job provides...

"As for us, we went through a difficult leadership contest but time has helped to heal that. I will miss him. But although he is moving to America, I know he will always be there to offer support and advice when I need it.

"British politics will be a poorer place without David. But his huge talents will be serving people around the world. I hope and believe that at some point in the future he can once again make a contribution to British public life."

The decision produced a wave of sadness from the Blairites. Lord Mandelson told Radio 4's The World Tonight that he knew "a little bit about comebacks in politics" and that "if I can come back [then] David Miliband can come back - and I think he will".

But the truth is David Miliband lacked the killer instinct to lead a coup against his leader - Gordon Brown - when those around him were ready for the kill. That is what sets him apart from his younger brother. And that's why I wouldn't put any money on a comeback.