New Labour MPs: ‘Don’t blame Ed Miliband for our general election loss’
Ed Miliband returns to his Dartmouth Park home last week after losing the election. Picture: PA/Hannah McKay. - Credit: PA Wire/Press Association Images
Labour’s three new MPs in Camden and Haringey have lamented the loss of Ed Miliband as the party’s leader, hitting back at claims they lost the election because of his failings.
Tulip Siddiq and Sir Keir Starmer. Picture: Polly Hancock. - Credit: Archant
Tulip Siddiq, Sir Keir Starmer and Catherine West all told the Ham&High the blame for Labour’s defeat should not be laid solely at Mr Miliband’s door.
Hampstead and Kilburn MP Ms Siddiq, who was part of Mr Miliband’s leadership campaign team in 2010, said she was “very personally disappointed” by his failure to become prime minister.
“I think Ed had a hard time in the press,” said Ms Siddiq. “I think the messaging didn’t get through to the public.
“I have absolutely no regrets about campaigning for him to be leader. It was the right decision at the right time.”
Catherine West at the election result announcement at Alexandra Palace. Picture: John Macdonald-Fulton - Credit: John M Fulton
Sir Keir, who was elected as Holborn and St Pancras MP last week, said: “I don’t think this is a position which is simply down to who the leader was. There are fundamental questions we need to ask ourselves.”
Hornsey and Wood Green MP Ms West said: “It’s too easy to say it’s just the fault of the leader. I think it was a lot more complicated than that.
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“I feel a bit of sadness because I got on very well with Ed Miliband. He was very popular in Hornsey and Wood Green.”
