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Labour election strategist David Axelrod starts work Labour election strategist David Axelrod starts work
(35 minutes later)
Labour's new election strategist David Axelrod has held his first meeting with Ed Miliband and the shadow cabinet.Labour's new election strategist David Axelrod has held his first meeting with Ed Miliband and the shadow cabinet.
Mr Axelrod, a former adviser to US President Barack Obama, was hired last month on a reported six figure salary.Mr Axelrod, a former adviser to US President Barack Obama, was hired last month on a reported six figure salary.
He is in the UK for two days of talks with Mr Miliband and his team as Labour begins gearing up for next year's general election.He is in the UK for two days of talks with Mr Miliband and his team as Labour begins gearing up for next year's general election.
He is expected to work closely with campaign co-ordinator Douglas Alexander and American pollster Stan Greenberg.He is expected to work closely with campaign co-ordinator Douglas Alexander and American pollster Stan Greenberg.
Mr Axelrod was Mr Obama's campaign adviser during his successful run for the presidency in 2008 and senior strategist for the president's re-election campaign in 2012.Mr Axelrod was Mr Obama's campaign adviser during his successful run for the presidency in 2008 and senior strategist for the president's re-election campaign in 2012.
Who is David Axelrod?
A Labour source said he would be discussing "planning and messaging" ahead of the election due to be held in May next year.A Labour source said he would be discussing "planning and messaging" ahead of the election due to be held in May next year.
The source declined to comment on whether he would address the issue of Labour's slump in the polls which has seen the party's rating fall as low as 31% in recent days.The source declined to comment on whether he would address the issue of Labour's slump in the polls which has seen the party's rating fall as low as 31% in recent days.
Mr Axelrod addressed the shadow cabinet on Thursday morning and has held meetings with senior Labour figures including Mr Miliband, Mr Alexander, shadow chancellor Ed Balls and deputy leader Harriet Harman.Mr Axelrod addressed the shadow cabinet on Thursday morning and has held meetings with senior Labour figures including Mr Miliband, Mr Alexander, shadow chancellor Ed Balls and deputy leader Harriet Harman.
Labour has retained the services of Mr Axelrod's political consultancy AKPD, which employs other veterans from the Obama campaign, including Larry Grisolano and Mike Donilon.Labour has retained the services of Mr Axelrod's political consultancy AKPD, which employs other veterans from the Obama campaign, including Larry Grisolano and Mike Donilon.
Fellow Democrat Stan Greenberg, a former pollster for former US President Bill Clinton and ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair, also remains on the Labour team.Fellow Democrat Stan Greenberg, a former pollster for former US President Bill Clinton and ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair, also remains on the Labour team.
Another former US Democrat strategist and Obama guru Arnie Graf, who has been helping Labour build a grassroots network of community organisers, is reported to have returned to America, but Mr Alexander has denied claims the party has sacked him.
Following his appointment in April, Mr Axelrod said he been struck by the "power" of Ed Miliband's ideas, and "the focus he brings to solving the fundamental challenge facing Britain".Following his appointment in April, Mr Axelrod said he been struck by the "power" of Ed Miliband's ideas, and "the focus he brings to solving the fundamental challenge facing Britain".
In August last year, the Conservatives confirmed they had recruited former Obama campaign manager Jim Messina to work on its 2015 election team.In August last year, the Conservatives confirmed they had recruited former Obama campaign manager Jim Messina to work on its 2015 election team.
As with Mr Axelrod, Mr Messina is not leading the campaign on the ground but remains in the US and "reports in to the Conservatives' senior management team".As with Mr Axelrod, Mr Messina is not leading the campaign on the ground but remains in the US and "reports in to the Conservatives' senior management team".