Member News
By Tony Grew - 30th September 2010
The deputy leader of the Labour party has paid tribute to David Miliband in her closing speech at the autumn conference in Manchester.
Harriet Harman's address was sprinkled with jokes and sent party workers home on a high.
She said the party leaves Manchester "with a new leader and a laser focus on the future".
This week has been "a rollercoaster of emotions" alongside "optimism and fairness and about the New Generation".
Harman recalled that the newly-elected leader Ed Miliband "used to work for me".
"Well, I can tell you he was always punctual, always neatly dressed, and makes a lovely cup of tea.
"He was incredibly diligent and often he would work all night – even when everyone else was out partying – including me!
"Conference, our new leader is intelligent, courageous and has a good heart."
Harman thanked general secretary Ray Collins, "a steady hand on the tiller in turbulent times", her team in the leader of the Opposition's office led by Anna Healy, Ayesha Hazarika and Charlotte Montague, and her husband Jack Dromey.
"You all know Jack – wherever he goes he lights up the room – although often that's just the light reflecting off his head.
"As some of you may have seen, the Sky Top Trump cards which score MPs in a number of categories.
"There were some surprising results. I came out as the most fanciable female MP! If you were wondering why – clearly its because Jack used the Unite block vote."
Nick Brown, who is standing down as chief whip at the request of Ed Miliband, was described as "loyal to the party and feared by the Tories".
Harman also paid a fulsome tribute to David Miliband.
"He played a leading role in our years in government.
"He was a dedicated schools minister, a pioneering environment secretary and an outstanding foreign secretary.
"He has been a towering figure in our party and it is certain that the work that he has started – such as the army of community organisers - will go forward.
"The Labour Party is proud of him. We are proud of what he did in government. And I know we will be proud of what he does in the future."
Harman said the party's MPs are "a powerful mix of youth and experience".
"Some of us are the Facebook generation – some of us are the facelift generation. But together we make a fierce team."
Harman also appealed to Lib Dem voters who "wanted to prevent the Tories being in government" to join Labour "to get them out".
She sent the party members off with a call to arms.
"There are members to recruit. There are elections to fight. There are cuts to oppose. We have work to do. The contest for our leadership is over. The contest for the future of the country begins.
"And we are ready. We have important work to do. Let’s get on with it."
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