The former Deputy Prime Minister, speaking on the Andrew Marr Show on BBC1, waded into the debate by arguing that it was “time for change” – although he candidly admitted that making changes to the party’s constitution is “always controversial”.
A proposal to allow “registered supporters” to help make party policy – and choose the leader – has angered left-wing activists who fear the influence of a new breed of right-wing “carpetbaggers” who want a say but don’t want – or can’t be bothered – to actually join the party.
The plan to weaken the influence of the unions – who currently control 50 per cent of the votes at conference – comes in the wake of Mr Miliband’s failure to support them in taking industrial action against the coalition’s destructive cuts in public spending, and is seen by union leaders as part of a strategy to distance the leadership – and the Labour Party – from the people who pick up the bills and who the party was, historically, formed to represent.
Mr Miliband’s own supporters now fear he may have made a mistake in making the plans a test of his political virility.
The proposals are not popular with large sections of the party – in Parliament, as well as in the constituencies and, of course, with union officials as well as activists – and it is not clear if he has the muscle, or the votes, to force them through.
His problems are compounded because some Blairites, who backed Ed’s brother David in last year’s leadership election, are saying they are tempted to vote against because although they agree with them in principle – the new rules would, ironically, have seen Ed beaten by his older brother – they want to undermine the leader in a bid to pave the way for a return to frontline politics for David.
A Labour spokesperson said: “Ed is very keen to look at ways of opening up the party and making it more public facing. Lots of options are being looked at and discussed, but no decisions have been made.”
