This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-politics-16296631
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Labour - Ed's new man | Labour - Ed's new man |
| (3 months later) | |
| Article written by Nick Robinson Political editor | |
| A devout Roman Catholic who became one of the Archbishop of Canterbury's closest advisers, a diplomat who worked with the very undiplomatic Alastair Campbell at Number 10, a spin doctor who was liked and admired by the journalists he briefed. | A devout Roman Catholic who became one of the Archbishop of Canterbury's closest advisers, a diplomat who worked with the very undiplomatic Alastair Campbell at Number 10, a spin doctor who was liked and admired by the journalists he briefed. |
| Tim Livesey is a surprise and impressive choice for the vital role of chief of staff for Labour leader Ed Miliband. | Tim Livesey is a surprise and impressive choice for the vital role of chief of staff for Labour leader Ed Miliband. |
| Although I know, like and admire Tim, I know little about his political views. He brings a number of very important qualities to the job of heading the leader of the opposition's office - he has experience of government, he has operated at a senior level in the real world and he is not defined by his politics. | Although I know, like and admire Tim, I know little about his political views. He brings a number of very important qualities to the job of heading the leader of the opposition's office - he has experience of government, he has operated at a senior level in the real world and he is not defined by his politics. |
| As the press officer who organized Tony Blair's foreign trips I remember Tim's capacity to combine charm and steel when dealing with the press pack and foreign diplomats. | As the press officer who organized Tony Blair's foreign trips I remember Tim's capacity to combine charm and steel when dealing with the press pack and foreign diplomats. |
| Searching online for a guide to his views I came across a speech he made to the Media Standards Trust which reveals attitudes which will have appealed to Ed Miliband. He asks the media to ask a question which, I suspect, he will want Labour to ask: | Searching online for a guide to his views I came across a speech he made to the Media Standards Trust which reveals attitudes which will have appealed to Ed Miliband. He asks the media to ask a question which, I suspect, he will want Labour to ask: |
| "First of all, what is our clear sense of purpose? What am I - we - here for? We've got to recognize that we're a moral agency. | "First of all, what is our clear sense of purpose? What am I - we - here for? We've got to recognize that we're a moral agency. |
| "Everything we do has moral value, it is not morally neutral, let's not kid ourselves. What is my, our, contribution to the common good?" | "Everything we do has moral value, it is not morally neutral, let's not kid ourselves. What is my, our, contribution to the common good?" |
| He also said he disagreed with Tony Blair's speech which attacked the media as "feral beasts". | He also said he disagreed with Tony Blair's speech which attacked the media as "feral beasts". |
| "I disagree with him (Blair) that the answer... is to have a damn good press office. I actually think that the answer is to know who you are, and to get on with it". | "I disagree with him (Blair) that the answer... is to have a damn good press office. I actually think that the answer is to know who you are, and to get on with it". |
| Advice which will be music to Ed Miliband's ears as some mutter about poor poll ratings or performances at PMQs. | Advice which will be music to Ed Miliband's ears as some mutter about poor poll ratings or performances at PMQs. |