Ed Miliband confirms Labour leadership bid
Updated on 14 May 2010
Ed Miliband tells his constituency Labour party in Doncaster North that he intends to run for the Labour leadership. His brother David has already put himself in the race.
The news first broke on Twitter when Labour member Mary Wimbury tweeted: "At Doncaster north labour party. Delighted that Ed Miliband has told party members he is going to stand for party leader."
According to the website LabourList, Mr Miliband told his local party: "I am telling you first that I am standing for the leadership. I've thought long and hard about it.
"My brother and I agree that the party needs the widest possible choice. The party has lost touch with our voters and we have lost our radical edge. We must reconnect and regain our sense of idealism."
He went on: "This contest must also be about the party valuing our members more, rooting our party in our communities and turning our values into action."
The former energy secretary is due to give a keynote speech to the Next Left Fabian conference tomorrow.
He will now contest the leadership against his brother David, who declared his candidacy last Wednesday.
Earlier this week, David Miliband told reporters: "The most important thing for both of us is that the family remains strong – and I'm absolutely confident that's going to happen, whatever my brother decides."
