Ed Miliband’s parting words in his important interview with Andy Marr this morning was, “New generation, not new Labour”. There is indeed a sense that a ‘new flame’ has come. Indeed, with this new flame, I believe it is now time for Labour to unite,

Unity is our watchword, as well as humility - Alastair Campbell, Lord Mandelson and Tony Blair did not back Ed Miliband, please note. You’re still Grandees, but not everyone’s listening as carefully any more.

The idea of where Ed has come from ideologically come from can be easily put in a soundbite. It’s clear that the latest attempt by the Sun, their first real attempt, has failed. The idea of Ed Miliband being ‘Red Ed’ is ludicrous, but is a sign that the Tory press have lost it. I do indeed think that Ed Miliband will develop an audacity of renewal, and my hunch is that he’s much more right-wing than people give him credit for.

There could be massive problems with the cuts, and the media are likely to play up that Ed Miliband got a big leadership vote, and therefore could be in the ‘pockets of the unions’. Ed Miliband gave out the clear message that a ‘right to strike’ should be a ‘last resort’, and responsibility from the government and the Unions is important. I have previously adopted much more left-wing view, but it is a practicality already that the fire services will be going on the strike. Critically, Ed does not want to be part of ‘loudhaler politicis’, which is the complete anthesis of David Cameron screaming at Gordon Brown at Prime Minister’s Question over the BA strike.

Finally, Ed Miliband is possibly right in arguing that the branding of “New Labour” was right at the time, in the sense that it wished to appeal to all sections of society. However, it is a formula for the 1990s that is unsuitable for the 2010s. People are alarmed about the worsening of inequality that happened under Labour. I’m glad to see that inequality is at the top of agenda, including the responsibilities at the low end of the income scale, as well as rich bankers. There are ways in which high pays could be in theory could be reduced, for example David Miliband’s idea of having an ordinary worker on the executive board of big companies. However, the easy approach is to do banker bashing which indeed successful populism. It is what Vince Clegg has been doing to divert attention away from his proven ‘unfair policies’, which are far from Liberal ideals and values historically. It goes to the heart of recognising poverty and the working class, as indeed William Beveridge, David Lloyd-George and Benjamin Seebohm Rowntree recognised all those years. A genuine coalition of ideas that brought real results for this country. Labour (and the Fabian Society) must reassume the moral high ground on this.

And I am inspired? Very much so…