The politics of choice

The goals of the Labour Party do not change, but the competition to replace Ed Miliband is a hard act to follow. The dream team Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper have challenged their main rivals over the state and the distribution of rewards. The other candidates have stuck to isolation and electoral strategy to defeat their opponent.

Ed Balls is a loss Labour cannot afford, and Yvette is becoming a solution not an obstacle to Labour's short term goals. The strategy is  to undermine the personality of David Cameron. But their youthfulness seems at odds with the script. The evil personality trick did its work, and Cameron will be an easy act to follow for the Conservatives. The plan is to sidestep Labour over tax and to threaten them over deciding who controls the European formations.

The defence issues appear solidly Tory, but in fact many are predicting a return to Labour frameworks of resistance. Yvette Cooper is not a natural middle ranking party organiser, but her husband has national recognition in the markets. Labour is cleverly facing left in this context. I suggest Andy Burnham's arrival supports the backward movement and the right will threaten the centre ground.

The real strategy is not the party but how to restart the bandwagon to electoral victory, I disagree, politics and ideology are rule bound, parties rely on new policies not internal warfare. Cameron is vulnerable on party and personal issues, and can be taken out by home identity and political bias. The real issue is whether the party will support a new direction after defeat, and Yvette and Ed require a public message to return back into the state fold.

Andy has a good personal profile but lacks a public and growth in public understanding. The Tories will use these early moves as ammunition and try and split the shadow front bench when elected. Their moves over Europe appears to back a new fresh approach by Labor. Andy Burnham's  underplay hints at a lack of experience in this field. The electorate will welcome a change of direction.