Dan Hodges, Ed Miliband and a Chronic Lack of Choice

I do enjoy some of the articles written by Dan Hodges over at The New Statesman - the ones slating Ed Miliband, obviously. Miliband Minor has few critics as persistent as Hodges. His articles on the failing and flailing Labour leader are filled with gems such as this one:

Liam Byrne has presented Ed Miliband with a chance to begin to define his leadership. If he takes it, it could be a turning point. If he doesn't, it may represent one final, missed opportunity.

I think Hodges is often spot on in his analysis of the flaws of the lesser Miliband. However there is a problem in that Hodges clearly has an agenda of his own - since he was a key supporter of Miliband Major's bid for the Labour leadership. And this is what, in a sense, makes his articles even more fun - because the comments descend to the level of internecine-Labour party conflict, with some defending the indefensible (i.e. Ed Miliband) at the same time as (quite rightly, on some levels) accusing Hodges of being motivated mainly by sour grapes.

But the point is that Hodges' scribblings accurately represent the big problem that faced Labour when they replaced Brown and, arguably, still faces them today should they choose to do what is necessary and bin the Ed. That problem is the complete lack of choice when it coems to potential leadership candidates. Had Miliband Major been elected then there would be someone who supported his brother's campaign belly-aching on a weekly basis in The New Statesman about the failings of David as Leader of the Opposition. Neither of the Miliband leaders are inspirational in any way, shape or form - including the lost Miliband, Andy Burnham. Ed Balls is just plain vile, while Diane Abbott remains a joke. No matter who won the Labour leadership election last year, all would be struggling now as Labour leader. Furthermore, if there were to be a new contest right now, it is difficult to imagine a more inspirational line-up. The party hasn't reinvigorated itself in opposition; rather, it still doesn't seem to understand that it needs to reinvigorate itself at all.

So keep on sniping away at Ed Miliband, Dan. But at some point you're going to have to face up to the fact that your chosen candidate wasn't any better, and that the problems with the party you support run deeper than the fool who happens to be running that party at the moment.