Miliband's policy free zone

Ed Miliband has attracted a good deal of (I think justified) criticism for being overly negative and having no positive things to say about the Labour way forward. One has some sympathy. It must be tempting to simply sit back and watch the coalition blow its electoral fortunes with broken promises and the necessity of presiding over a humungous hangover from the financial crisis. So why should he do anything now ? It is dangerous for him to hang on too long. Once he gains a reputation for having no policies, no direction, no leadership, he will find it ultra difficult to shake it off. The British media are like that, as we know. Even four years may not be long enough to restore his reputation. Getting married is a good idea (cynical, moi ?), to be sure, but it's not really enough. There is a relatively simple answer. He needs to ask himself again, what is Labour for ? It is for, of course, social mobility, less inequality, more oppportunity and social justice and a superb welfare state. Perhaps less obviously it also stands for micro management of the economy. Three words spring immediately to mind (no, not education, education, education, but good guess) - they are education, health, welfare. All three aimed at raising aspirations and creating opportunities. Labour must restore all these, better than it will be by 2015, better than it was even in New Labour's best days. Add to those state led support and encouragement for key industries - technology, ICT, high value manufacturing, knowledge, biotechnology, medicine, media, arts, entertainment, finance (well, OK, problems there for Labour), higher education, research and development, high grade engineering (NOT arms) and the like. Now that is a plan. How to pay for them - through high growth and fairer taxation. OK, OK, it will not all be attainable, but it is a PLAN ! http://www.hoddereducation.co.uk/Colleges/Government---Politics.aspx?mRef=CNM01.