David Miliband quits UK for US

So Miliband follows on Mensch’s footsteps and quits both politics and the UK for the US. Though the reasons are different, she left to be with her family he is leaving for a life style and direction change. They both, on a different level and intensity, triggered a by-election and some uncomfortable debates. Louise gifted Labour a seat and David removed an obstacle for the Tories. Political gain wise the score is ….

I was astonished; even though the news broke in time to make the papers bar a couple of mentions the story didn’t make much news till this morning. Am I the only one who finds this peculiar?

For those not that involved with politics hearing this news won’t even make them flinch. But for politicos it signals the end of an era. David Miliband was regarded as the last major Blairite figure in the Labour party. Many believed by now he should have been the PM in waiting. His departure also confirms that Labour under his brother has fully ditched pro market centre ground politics and the unions’ investments are finally baring fruit.

A socialist son of a Marxist gives up Labour politics and goes off to the US to make more money! What’s the world coming to?

Nothing, nothing besides the usual, our world is still the same. Tough economic times harder on some more than others, wars killing some and financed by others, poverty hitting some yet caused by others, nothing but the usual.

To be honest, I am surprised he didn’t go earlier, after losing the Labour leadership election. Although it might have seemed, at the time, as sulking but it would have kept the momentum and the gravitas of the office of Secretary of State with all the impact and advantages holding such an office affords, plus it would have proved there were definitely no ill feelings between the two brothers. Now it just looks like a strategic break before the relaunch.

Either way I wish Mr Miliband, D and his family well. NYC is a fabulous city, plus I hear the tax system in the US now rivals ours – after his government’s 50p tax rise even this government’s 5p shave puts us at a higher rate than the Yanks.

Bye, bye David…., for now!