The mastermind steps from the shadows
By Ian Dunt
The man behind Ed Miliband’s leadership campaign has made his speech to conference, with political pundits weighing up his words for signs of his future role.
Sadiq Khan, who helped mastermind the campaign and was the only ally in the room with Mr Miliband when they discovered the result, is being tipped in some circles for the home secretary role.
He delivered a steadfastly ‘on message’ address this morning, backing Ed Miliband’s approach of celebrating Labour achievements while taking a critical view of its faults.
He also said he would work with the government where he agreed with it and against it where he believed it was going wrong – a key part of Mr Miliband’s ‘new politics’ approach to the coalition.
“We have to learn the lessons of the past. He must take pride in our achievements and we must be humble about our mistakes,” he said.
“But we didn’t always get the answers right and we need to recognise that and move on. Part of moving on means working with this government when they make good decisions.
“Of course, we will support responsible cuts when times are hard, but right wing ideological cuts are wrong, unacceptable and we will expose them.
“Under David Cameron, much of what we gained is at risk.”
The shadow transport secretary is a colourful political figure, whose outspoken views on the United States mean he is unlikely to be given a role concerning foreign affairs.
Many analysts believe his chances of winning the shadow home secretary role depends on what happens with the shadow chancellor. If it is given to Yvette Cooper Mr Miliband may be forced to give the role to Ed Balls, who has fought for a place in the spotlight with an aggressive and eloquent leadership campaign.
Mr Khan’s background as a civil liberties campaigner also makes him a natural choice for the shadow justice secretary role, where Mr Miliband has made clear he will back Dominic Grieve and Ken Clarke’s more liberal approach to criminal justice.
