The Labour party has our fair share of sibling rivalry. There is Ed and David Miliband, of course. There is Douglas and Wendy Alexander. Yet the most intriguing is not a rivalry at all. It is more a supportive working partnership, friendship and political alliance all rolled into one. In a way that is a …

Ed Miliband’s strength has exposed Labour’s stress points. How do we stop these turning into damaging cracks? Those advising Miliband feel a sense of frustration with the sudden emergence of discontent last month about Labour’s position. The economy is sputtering, Labour has a consistent lead in the polls, the government stumbles from economic failure to …

Of all the members of the shadow cabinet, Jim Murphy may be emerging as one of the most interesting. Regarded, unfairly, as a Blairite pur sang, Murphy has adapted to the leadership of Ed Miliband with a mixture of impeccable loyalty and a streak of independent thinking: willing to accept cuts to his department, firm …

A scandal can break a politician’s reputation. But in opposition a good scandal can be the making of them. So it has proved for shadow environment secretary Mary Creagh, whose performance on the ‘horsemeat’ scandal has strengthened her reputation as a reliable, effective, competent shadow minister, one of the emerging talents on the Labour frontbench …

The most intriguing and careful political dance of Labour’s new year has been between Ed Balls and Ed Miliband After Miliband declined to guarantee Balls the keys to No 11 Downing Street during an interview with the Mirror, Team Balls whispered in the ear of Kevin Maguire that their Ed would rather go to the …

After conference, Ed Miliband dominates the Labour party like never before. Looking over the party, Team Ed could be excused a certain small sigh of satisfaction. The unions are, if not happy, then emollient. The party membership is willing to follow him. The policy review is in the hands of his chosen visionary. Furthermore, the …

So, to party conference. What will we learn in Manchester? It will be a test of how ready Labour is for our friends in the press. Opposition is strange that way: you spend 51 weeks of the year desperate to scrabble your way onto the news agenda. The other week you get so much attention …

Is it a case of step aside Maurice Glasman, there’s a new guru in town? The big Labour summer hit is the rise of the Australian philosopher-politico Tim Soutphommasane, who is being feted by the the party leadership for his suggestion that Labour should create a liberal-left national story of progressive patriotism. Sadly, the ‘guru’ …

It’s a fair cop! ’Ello, ’ello, ’ello. Labour’s police commissioner candidates are reporting for duty. While most of the selections were fought with the passion associated with an international paint-drying tournament, some fascinating fights have been won. There is father-and-son team Alun and Tal Michael, who may soon find themselves running almost all of the …

Your insider has been driving the poor editors mad while trying to hold out. They were practically breaking the door down. But Ed Miliband just would not shuffle his deck on deadline. If I did not know better, I would swear it was a grudge. So dear readers, we have a new shadow cabinet. Well, …