Chapter 4: The Red Flag
So raise the scarlet standard high,
Beneath its shade we'll live and die,
Though cowards flinch and traitors sneer,
We'll keep the red flag flying here
The Labour Party had some strange traditions. One of these was forcing four men who had been competing against each other for months into a small office that joined onto the conference hall. The partisan battle was clear as each man staked a corner in the office, heads buried in phones and notes, the Miliband brothers exchanged looks knowing that they should say something. They were saved by a bell called Anne Black
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‘Hello candidates, the NEC appreciates that you could all come down here. I gather you got the email’’ Anne asked staring down at her trusty red folder, which held the keys to the weekend’s conference.
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What email? ’’ Andy Burnham bluntly replied, as the other candidates stared with equal confusion at the mystery email. The NEC had a habit of sending rather dull emails that never actually got anywhere.
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About the results, I’ve got them here’’ She replied, unaware that she was holding the Holy Grail for the four men, or their death sentence. All eyes suddenly fixated on the small folder with a single sheet of A4 folded in it.
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You’ve got the fucking results’ Ed Balls boomed, shooting to his feet.
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Language Ed’ Burnham winced before sending an icy stare at Balls.
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Anne, I think we’re all shocked about this. We’re supposed to find out tomorrow’’ The other Ed chimed in causing a collective eye roll from the other candidates, he always had to be a charmer.
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This is madness’ Balls fumed again, fumbling for his phone as he typed out a message on the keyboard.
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The NEC just didn’t want anyone to be surprised on stage’’ Anne shrugged with a half-smile trying to salvage any sense of normality. ‘
‘Now these results cannot leave this room, not even your spouses. There has to be radio silence until the announcement tomorrow’’
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I think we can keep it secret for 24 hours’’ David smirked, looking up to see 4 rather blank faces staring at him
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You’ve never been great at keeping secrets David’’ Ed chuckled causing Balls and Burnham to both snigger at David’s expense. David would have the last laugh though.
**
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‘With 52.32% of the vote, I can declare that David Miliband is Labour leader’ Anne Black announced over the rush of cheers and excitement from the delegates amassed in the hall. Anne had decided to go through the pain staking process of announcing each round’s breakdown of the college. This waiting was nothing compared to last 24 hours. As he stood up to inspect the masses the first thing he felt was the pleasant thump of his brother Ed as he pulled him into a firm embrace.
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Do dad proud’ Ed whispered before letting David engage in brief aggressive handshakes with the other candidates and surrounding members.
As he walked up towards the stage he was convinced he heard someone shout ‘Iraq’ but he must of being hearing things. He looked out into the sea of Red and inhaled… the wait was over. The Journey started from here, and the first hurdle was his acceptance speech. Looking up at the auto que, the words were paused waiting for his signal. This was his territory, he was a natural.
Today I set out the modern purpose of our party, and how it is to be fulfilled.
To ensure this government, misguided and misbegotten, fake and faulty, as dangerous as it is divided, is sent where it belongs, into the dustbin of history, driven from office as soon as possible.
That's the obvious bit.
But our purpose is higher and harder. It is to use all the ingenuity of modern society to honour the dignity that should be common to all human beings.
It is to build a moral economy and a good society.
To protect people from danger. From markets that are not regulated. From the crime that blights lives. From the curse of dementia.
And to give people more control of their own lives. Opportunities in education; influence at work; power in public services.
This is the common life we forge together. We protect each other; we share power and opportunity.
For the many not the few. The cause of the Labour Party since its foundation. The reason I am here today. The reason you are too.
The rest of the speech went like a breeze for Miliband. This was his moment in the sun, and by god it wouldn't last for long...