Ed Miliband: I will unite the party

Monday, 27 September 2010 12:00 AM

Ed Miliband responds to his narrow victory over brother David in the Labour leadership election, addressing delegates on Saturday:

"I'm proud of the leadership of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown but we lost the election and we lost it badly.

"My message to the country is this: I know we lost your trust. Today a new generation has taken control of Labour, a new generation that understands the call for change.

"I get it. Whatever your view on the Iraq war it led to an appalling loss of trust for us. I know we have to change, so I have to unify this party and I am going to show I understand the need for change.

"Today's election turns a page because a new generation has stepped forward to serve our party and in time to serve out country. Today, the work of the new generation begins.

"I believe we need a new kind of politics. I will oppose this coalition government when they are doing the wrong thing, but I will support them when they are doing the right thing.

"You have put your trust in me and I am determined to pay that back to you.

"The first way I will repay that trust is by uniting our party and taking it forward together.

"David I love you so much as a brother, and I have such extraordinary respect for the campaign you ran. We all know how much you have to offer this party in the future."

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