The united states of Miliband

This was the message from David Miliband to the Labour Party in his first address to the Labour Party in Manchester and his first since losing the Labour leadership contest to younger brother Ed on Saturday.

He was defeated by a narrow margin of 1.3% of the popular vote in part due to strong union backing for his brother Ed.

David who was the bookies favourite for the Labour crown for the duration of the race addressing the party faithful this morning spoke of his respect for his younger brother and the importance of party support.

“I see Ed as a special person to me. Now he is a special person to you and our job is to make him a special person for all the British people."

Ed Miliband speaking about his brother highlighted similar sentiments.

“There is no psycho-drama. David and I have been extremely close during this contest, before the contest and after this contest, and the graciousness he has shown since Saturday speaks volumes about him as a person”

The former Foreign Secretary has yet to announce his decision as to whether or not his will seek a shadow cabinet position or whether as some have suggested he will quit frontline politics altogether.

Ed Miliband will announce his Shadow Cabinet in October.

Alistair Darling, former Chancellor, who will be stepping down from the Shadow Cabinet said that he believes Mr Miliband will move the party forward:

“I'm greatly reassured that he's realistic, he's got a lot of common sense, he's not going to do something that's irresponsible," Mr Darling told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

"I think Ed (Miliband) is very seized of the fact that the policy we adopt has to be credible”

"I think the plan I set out earlier this year is the right one. As events move on, of course Ed and the new shadow chancellor are entitled to look at these things, but whatever plan you come up with has got to be credible.”

"We have got to be credible and we have got to stay in the centre ground of British politics.”

By Richard Sudan