I'm coming to the conclusion that in the media complex world in which we live political leaders work better in pairs. Margaret Thatcher had Nigel Lawson, John Major had Ken Clarke, Tony Blair had Gordon Brown and David Cameron has got a choice of two depending on whether or not he wants to apportion blame or praise.
Ed Milibands problem is that he stands in isolation. We all know that Ed Balls is and was Gordon's man and there is no way that Ed will be able to convince us that him and Ed ... well need I say more, its just too confusing. The reality is that Ed and Ed aren't the double act that is going to take Labour into victory in the next election. Much as I like Ed Balls, if Labour are going to win the next election his role will be Prescottian (!) as a bastion of Labour tradition and as a unifier of Labour's broad Church.
The problem is that Ed Miliband is not Tony Blair so Labour isn't looking for a taciturn strategist to run the economy whilst the media friendly leader charms the electorate. Ed Milibands leadership partner has to present a more balanced set of strengths than the either or contrast of Blair and Brown. He or she has to be a little bit more media friendly and perceived as not quite as intelligent and perhaps a little more empathetic.
The problem is that a politician of such quality would inevitably represent a long term threat to Ed Miliband's own leadership. So Ed has to go into the next election knowing that the partner on whom he is dependent upon for success will inevitably become his nemesis. But that is the true quality of leadership and all of a sudden I'm not thinking quite so badly of Tony Blair.
And who should it be - now that would be telling.
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