The leadership race will now be thrown into the hands of Labour party members. The campaign will become fierce and potentially acrimonious at the final stages because it is at this juncture that Mp’s have to make clear where the allegiances lie. It can be very hurtful. Chukka Umunna who had indicated his interest at the early stages of the calls for a leadership contest following Millibands comprehensive defeat at the polls, backed down once the media began to probe his private life which he could not tolerate. Shame really, because his inclusion may have just spiced it up a little bit, though some insiders have told eye of media that he may have considered realistic forecasts regarding his chances, and stepped aside for others while he gathered more experience and greater support a few years down the line.
That remains a subjective view, though one has to wonder how he would have fared among this ambitious crop of divided politicians fighting for a bite at the cherry to lead a struggling party that nevertheless have some bright minds who have the task of revolutionizing the party and changing public perception of the party. My view was that the party put up a very good fight for the last elections but may have lost on a few crucial issues in the mind of the electorate
Milliband’s decision to use Russell Brand may have backfired, but the defeat to the Conservatives must have been base don other serious considerations. It sure didn’t help that Milliband would think that the voting public would consider Russell Brand’s views, especially given the strong likelihood that those who follow and admire Brand were less likely to bother to vote.