Miliband on the warpath

‘In Oldham, we need to stand up for the wealth creators’

Abolishing the body charged with bringing jobs and investment to Oldham is the new Government’s masochism strategy in action, Labour leadership hopeful David Miliband has said.

The MP hoping to succeed Gordon Brown said the North West Regional Development Agency brought in £5 of investment for every £1 it spent. And it ensured all areas however large or small within the region, got a fair share of cash.

Speaking to the Chronicle he said: “This is a vital time for the country not just the Labour party, there is a dangerous experiment being conducted on the British economy — a masochism strategy from the Chancellor which I think is a real threat to jobs and business across the country. The abolition of the RDAs is an example of the masochism strategy in action.

“To save £1 the Tories are going to lose £5.

“That is bad for the country and I am determined the Labour party stands up for wealth creation as well as spreading wealth.

“In Oldham we need to be standing up for the wealth creators and saying this Government approach is wrong.

“It is an economic misjudgement the Tories are making about the economy.

“But there is also a moral misjudgement in expecting the poorest in our society to bear the greatest burden of the economic strategy and it is not right. I think that in this leadership campaign, every day I have not been thinking about who else is competing against me to be leader but who can beat David Cameron. Frankly the sooner the voters of Oldham get an alternative government, not just a fighting opposition the better.

“I think we need a regional approach on transport, economic development, skills and so the first job is to try and stop them doing something so plainly stupid

“Let’s see how far they get in their misguided plans but I think the RDAs have proved their worth.”

Mr Miliband — who will find out on September 24 if he is the next leader at Labour’s conference in Manchester — said the new Government is soft on banks and also urged them not to mess with the minimum wage.

He said: “The minimum wage is one of the great achievements for the Labour Government and anyone that says politics does not matter should ask a low paid worker.

“We should defend the minimum wage. It is set independently by the low-paid commission to avoid impact on unemployment. I issue this warning, do not mess with the minimum wage. It is part of being a decent society and strong economy.”

In a final plea as Labour party voters and trade unionists make their decision on who they want to succeed Mr Brown, Mr Miliband said he was a leader who could speak to the public, unify the Labour party and take on David Cameron.