Ed Miliband v David Miliband is bad but Venus Williams v Serena Williams is OK?
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Version 0 of 1. Joan Smith (Let us finally bury this back-stabbing Miliband myth, 10 April) is right to question Michael Fallon’s attack on Ed Miliband’s decision to stand against his brother as leader of the Labour party. In other walks of life such criticism is laughable. Should Andy Murray have stepped aside until his brother Jamie quit tennis? Was it disloyal of Serena Williams to try to beat her older sister Venus? Should Bobby Charlton have insisted that his brother Jack was the better footballer?Jenny PageNewton Poppleford, Devon • It could be said that Ed Miliband did not stab his brother in the back, but as two adult males they disagreed profoundly about party policy. Ed stood for the leadership against a man who voted for the Iraq war, and who now expresses regret and accepts responsibility for the outcomes. And against a man who as foreign secretary gave the green light to the interrogation of foreign nationals, and possibly to their rendition and torture. We don’t yet know all the details. The greatest back-stabber of all was the sainted Thatcher, who stabbed her leader Edward Health to gain the premiership Sometimes blood isn’t thicker than water, and Ed Miliband took a painful decision for his family and should be praised for his guts.Anna FordLondon • Surely the greatest back-stabber of all was the sainted Margaret Thatcher, who stabbed her leader Edward Heath to gain the premiership – and Ted never forgave her for it.Mary BonninWookey, Somerset • Did you hear that Michael Fallon accused David Cameron of stabbing David Davis in the back? Neither did I.W Stephen GilbertCorsham, Wiltshire • Joan Smith is only partly right. Rather than bury the myth we should actually celebrate Ed Miliband’s supreme strength and courage in opposing his brother. He thus revealed himself as a person of principle and strategic ability, fit and ready for the leadership of the UK. Victory for David would have meant the reassertion of “New Labour” when both country and Labour party desperately needed release. Ed’s win over David means that control over capitalist excess at home and abroad is back on the political agenda and that principles underpinning the NHS, public services and the welfare state now form part of the general election debate. Ed Miliband’s courageous challenge to his brother proclaims him as the leader most able to put public interest before private attachment and the one most worthy of support as the next prime minister.Michael PoulterStafford |