Ed Miliband has defended his “think deeply” style against critics who accuse him of talking waffle.
The Labour leader came under fresh pressure today after another poll jangled nerves by showing the Conservatives closing the gap.
Former Cabinet minister Hazel Blears appealed to him to “make faster progress” on drawing up policies that relate to the lives of ordinary voters.
Mr Miliband admitted the next election would be “close” but denied that his style was too intellectual.
“I think ideas are absolutely crucial,” he told ITV’s The Agenda. “Unless you get your ideas right, unless you think deeply about the country and the way it’s going to work, you are never going to be a leader of the Opposition.”
But Ms Blears urged Labour to “get on with the job” and to talk “in normal human language”. She told the BBC: “There are some big themes here but we do need to make faster progress on turning them into real things that people can relate to.”
Critics accuse Mr Miliband of adopting an over-cautious “35 per cent” strategy, thinking Labour only needs a modest vote share to secure power.
A poll by ComRes for The Independent showed the Labour lead on last month being cut by three points to five.
Deputy leader Harriet Harman said Mr Miliband had put forward “radical and sensible” policies to address the squeeze on living standards.
