Doubts about Miliband

So the latest bit of tittle-tattle is that David Miliband might try to replace Brown as PM.

In a previous incarnation as a civil servant Woody actually met David Miliband a couple of times. That encounter, and my impressions over a period of time suggest that as a possible PM, while he obviously has strengths, he has some serious flaws too.

First, the good.

The good

• He's intelligent but doesn't come across as a brainbox.
• He's got a pleasant, English voice.
• He's below 50 and can appear 'fresh'
• He hasn't been associated with any particular disasters or cock-ups yet
• He's a policy wonk

The bad

• He's a policy wonk.
• He's intrinsically tied up with the Blair years: spin, triangulation etc.
• He can be rude and abrasive, apparently without any good reason.
• He is prone to terrible gaffes
• Like Brown, he wants it handed to him on a plate, which doesn't bode well for his ability to campaign effectively.
• He lacks any roots in the party - he was parachuted into a safe seat by Blair so probably won't be tolerated by the PLP.

Overall, Miliband is the spoilt brat of the Labour party and has the traits to match. He has reached one of the highest offices in the land without ever running a major department, with few or no roots in the party, and without having to campaign hard for his position. He owes where he is to good connections and his relations with Brown and Blair.

What this means is that he lacks the discipline, judgement, or strength to be an effective leader.