Defiant Miliband makes his mark

In pledging to occupy the centre ground and provide a vision of an alternative government, rather than simply opposing every decision of the coalition or even backing the unions' repeated threats of industrial action, the younger Miliband sent a clear message to those sceptics who unfairly dubbed him "Red Ed" within hours of taking over.

His slightly conciliatory attitude, a subtle echo of David Cameron's 2005 pledge to work with Tony Blair when it was for the good of the country, reflects the fact that the majority of voters are too savvy to be taken in by the yah-boo style of political antagonism which emerged in the 1980s.

Where Mr Miliband is right to challenge the Government, however, is in the way that the coalition's austerity agenda has hit the North, particularly Yorkshire. The misguided abolition of regional development agencies, and the cancellation of the 80m loan to Sheffield Forgemasters, threaten this area's long-term economic growth and it is on subjects like these that the new leader is best-placed to fight the Government.

If he is to turn the economy from a political weakness into a strength for Labour, then he has to show the party has learnt the lessons of

over-spending during the good years.

He began this process yesterday and, in repudiating the Brownite claim to abolish "boom and bust", took a symbolic step away from the approach of his former boss.

Whatever language Mr Miliband uses, Labour's policy on reducing the deficit is clearly under review. The new leader has to come to a settled view on the depth of cuts quickly, however, because any sense of indecision could be politically fatal.

Many obstacles lie ahead for Mr Miliband, but his task is not impossible. Yorkshire should benefit from having another party leader in the region – providing he remains strong. He has already beaten his brother and the New Labour political machine, and should

be emboldened to fight future battles.

His party has some hard work ahead of it, in terms of winning back voters and members and in creating a new policy vision. Having upset the form book once, however, Mr Miliband has proved he has the ability to do so again.