David Miliband can revive Labour, say defeated MPs

Front-runner: David Miliband is the 2-5 favourite to become Labour leader
10 April 2012
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Almost half of the Labour MPs defeated at the general election today backed David Miliband to revive the party's fortunes.

Former home secretary Jacqui Smith is among the 25 names, with former minister for London Tony McNulty and once rising stars Claire Ward, Dawn Butler and Bill Rammell.

"We know more than anyone that the general election was a painful defeat for our party," they wrote in a letter of endorsement.

"We believe that David Miliband has shown the willingness to understand the reasons we lost. David is ready for the urgent task of standing up against Cameron, rebuilding our party and winning back seats like ours."

The group stressed that outside London, where Labour performed more strongly, the party won only 10 of 212 seats in the South while nationwide it lost millions of voters since 1997.

Former foreign secretary Mr Miliband said winning back former seats was his priority.

"If Labour is to buck the historical trend of being out of power for an average of 10 years when we lose office we must win these seats back at the next election."

He is 2-5 favourite to be crowned new Labour leader at next month's annual party conference.

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