The “Next PM” betting would be shaken up if David Miliband indicated that he’d like to return as an MP

He’d be Hillary’s choice as PM

This morning’s disparity on terror related issues between the shadow foreign secretary, Hillary Benn, and Mr Corbyn highlights a problem for LAB that is not going to go away. The leader holds views that are way out of kilter with many of his party’s MPs not just his choice as shadow foreign secretary.

A problem, of course, is that when the media senses blood it’ll go on looking for splits. Other shadow ministers will be pursued and efforts made to highlight other divisions. And as we all know the public looks to political parties for a unified vision.

Split parties tend to get hammered in elections – just ask John Major about the 1992-1997 parliament.

Corbynâ€™s great strengths are the size of his vote in September’s leadership election and the fact that thereâ€™s no obvious leader in waiting that MPs could get behind.

But what if David Miliband, and this is mere speculation on my part, appeared on the scene again? You can imagine a passing comment like “not ruling out a return to the Commons at some stage” being interpreted as a leadership bid.

You can see a narrative developing. In these troubled times the country needs an opposition leader with David Miliband’s experience and background. This would particularly be the case if Hillary Clinton does go onto to win next year’s White House Race. One thing that came out of her release of emails were messages indicating how close she is to the older Miliband brother.

Mike Smithson

Follow @MSmithsonPB



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