Ed Miliband thinks twice about joining militants at rally

12 April 2012

Ed Miliband may break a pledge to the TUC to join a mass rally in London against spending cuts amid a row over the trade unions' role in his victory, the Evening Standard can reveal.

Sources close to the new Labour leader hinted he could either drop out altogether or play a minor role, saying: "We have had a lot of invitations and he cannot accept them all."

Mr Miliband is under pressure from Labour MPs to drop out of the TUC event which is being backed by militant RMT leader Bob Crow and other Left-wingers.

There are also claims by supporters of David Miliband that a deal with a few big public sector unions delivered victory to the younger brother. The Unite union's political director Charlie Whelan was said to have boasted that the union successfully swayed the crucial votes in the last minute of the knife-edge contest.

"The last thing we need is a picture of the new leader with Bob Crow and those other idiots marching down the street," said a senior Labour MP. "Can you imagine what the speeches from the platform will be like? He should be nowhere near them."

An ex-minister with a trade union background said: "Ed needs to show the public he is not in the pockets of the trade unions, especially when some of them are talking about mass industrial action. Sensible union leaders accept that he needs to keep his distance."

Mr Miliband was emphatic that he would go to the rally when the five leadership candidates were put on the spot at a TUC hustings this month. He said: "I'll attend the rally definitely." Of the five rivals, only older brother David refused to give a commitment to go, saying coolly: "Let's see where we get to."

All the major union leaders including Mr Crow are taking part in the rally at Central Hall, Westminster, on October 19. Later the unions plan to demonstrate at Parliament and lobby MPs and ministers.

Mr Miliband might choose to meet a delegation of moderates in private at the Commons to show his support for the anti-cuts campaign without appearing in public.

If he does drop out, the unions will be nervous in case it marks the start of a retreat from the Left-leaning policy agenda set out by Mr Miliband in his campaign. Among his core pledges were to make the temporary 50p tax rate on top earners permanent and campaign for gentler spending cuts than the coalition is planning. The unions would also like him to appoint Ed Balls as shadow chancellor because he has championed the economic case against cuts.

There is deep division among shadow cabinet members about the key policies. One told the Standard: "The 50p tax rate has simply got to go. It is a gift to the Tories at the next election."

The source close to Mr Miliband added: "You are not going to see Ed with a banner standing next to Bob Crow. He will oppose the cuts publicly but we are not wedded to every invitation."

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