Ed Milliband is invisible at the moment. Having won the leadership a little over a year ago he is now a brand in trouble – and this means trouble for Labour. His overwhelming problem as far as theUK electorate are concerned can be reduced to two words – his brother. This is not even a problem entirely of his own making – he has his parents to thank for that – but it’s an invidious position for any public brand to inherit. He doesn’t even own his own product name! For most the Millibrand always carries nostalgic echoes of the more centre left David.

What’s worse not only do the rest of the country look at the Labour Party who voted him in and collectively wonder “what were they thinking?” but those in Labour in the know are already distancing themselves from the problem (David for one) so they can re-emerge post Ed to fight again. “Lucky Ed” has also had to endure the IMF’s and BOE’s support of Osbourne along the way. If he currently lacks intellectual product he also lacks sexy packaging.

I think it is fair to say that Ed Milliband will not be leading the Labour Party at the next general election or that if he does they will lose and deal with him afterwards.

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