27 September 2010

The Irony of Brotherhood in UK's Politics


Former UK Prime Minister, Winston Churcill once said, "I am never going to have anything more to do with politics or politicians. When this war is over, I shall convince myself entirely to writing and painting."

I imagine what will David Miliband do now, after his dreadful lost at UK's Labour Party leadership election last week. His younger brother, Ed Miliband defeated him after the elimination of Diane Abbott, Andy Burnham, and Ed Balls. Ed was ended with 50.65 percent of the vote, with David Miliband winning 49.35. This is clearly an unexpected result for many people, especially for those inside the Labour Party's establishment, including MP's (Member of Parliament), MEP's (Member of European Parliament), and the members. Ed Miliband evidently won the full supports from members of trade unions and other affiliated groups. He got three biggest unions backed him, while the other one (the small one) supported his brother.

Undoubtedly, David Miliband's political career will obtain serious impacts after this surprise. Confidently prepared everything for the contest which began since May 2010, and has become long favourite for the top job, David now seen as a "dissapointed brother" who will not stick around Ed's leadership at the party for long. At the stage on Sunday (September 26th), David congratulated his younger brother while also stated some political understanding common words like "I'm incredibly proud of my brother, he definetely has a huge amount to offer to our politics." He looks fine, at least.

Later on, at the same time, David told the reporters, "I dont know if you noticed but I came here on Saturday planning slightly different week. I am now thinking what I am going to do instead." So this is the question, what will David do after this remarkable weekend? The shadow foreign secretary believed by many people will not accept any position (if offered by his brother) at the party, even though some speculations enlarge inside British Politicians that Ed will give chancellor job to his older brother. But it still unclear, until this Tuesday, when the Party's conference will begin to announce the latest positions and jobs at the party under Ed Miliband as the chief.

This might be the most well known Labour Party's leadership race, remembering the two Miliband's brother took place as an opponent one to each other, this battle even more interesting to watch after 17 years of Tori's leadership at the 10 Downing Street, there hasn't been too much greatness inside the party for international people and additionally, Tony Blair's decision on Iraq war made it even worse. If we look back to 1920s-1930s when Ramsay Macdonald elected as the first Labour Party's prime minister, He told the world that his mission was clear: "To ensure the party was seen as capable governing and promoting world peace." He, then, failed spectacularly in both aims. And that what also Tori's showed to the world. 

Blair handed over power to finance minister Gordon Brown in 2007, and again, the economy unsuccesfully restored, unemployment rates are getting higher, created more reasons for British people to hand over the leadership to Conservative leader, David Cameron, which ruling as Prime Minister until now.

Now, if Ed Miliband seriously wants to fix the party's name at British political arena, he should maintain his capabilities in controlling the economy, not to forget full supports he received from trade unions, means he must assure the unemployment rates will decrease, and the taxes for workers are also smaller. At the leadership race, Ed Miliband had insisted supports maintaining the Banker's bonus tax, increasing the annual bank levy, and new financial transactions tax. He also supports a living wage across Britain. Let see what this Oxford and London School of Economics-educated can do.

Like it or not, the new leader has born in UK's Labour Party and in the coming weeks his shadow cabinet will be formed and Labour will take shape. Let the UK's workers along with trade unions pray...

No comments: