There is an interesting view propounded by Iain Martin on his blog that Ed Miliband in his speech today is going to change the so-called Clinton/Blair/Cameron Playbook of politics that to win elections the leader of a political party has to be photogenic, adopt the mores and attitudes of the media and avoid references to right and left. I do hope Iain Martin is right as the Playbook approach to politics is unsatisfying in so many ways, stifling as it does real debate about so many issues that need to be properly aired. If Ed Miliband does seek to break the mould it will hopefully encourage Cameron to do likewise. I can only see the result being beneficial by encouraging greater discussion about capitalism, climate change, devolution, the economy, education, free speech, health, immigration, law and order, muticulturalism, trade unions, welfare and, of course, Europe.
I am not holding my breath though as I suspect the speech will be somewhat bland and disappointing, hinting at the lifting of the Third Way veil but in truth re-iterating it. Will this then become known as the Fourth Way?
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