Ed Miliband's inner circle came under fire today as a key policy launch was derailed by the leak of a “disastrous” document advising Labour MPs not to campaign on immigration.
One of the Labour leader’s key promotions in the recent reshuffle — campaign strategist Lucy Powell — was being blamed for issuing a “cack-handed” paper without getting it checked by senior colleagues, including shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper and immigration spokesman David Hanson.
With recriminations flying, anger was also being directed at Mr Miliband, with one insider seething: “When is he going to stop promoting useless people? He was warned about her.”
Mr Miliband was travelling to Great Yarmouth today to unveil a new pledge card vow to “control” rather than cut immigration. He was outlining a policy to stop the exploitation of migrants, partly to prevent British workers being undercut by people working for ruthless gangmasters.
However, the event was blown off course by the 33-page document issued to Labour MPs and campaign chiefs to advise them on handling voters tempted by Ukip.
It advised them not to campaign on immigration in case that raised the local salience of the issue. It suggested “moving the conversation on” to topics like the NHS and housing where Labour is stronger.
Shadow work and pensions secretary Rachel Reeves said she had not seen the document — and flatly contradicted its advice. “This is clearly something that Labour is talking to voters about, and it is our second pledge after our pledge on the deficit last week,” she told BBC radio.
Behind the scenes, party insiders were furious with Ms Powell. A senior insider said: “It is cack-handed and totally opposite to what we are actually doing. It is bloody criminal.”
The confidential briefing was sent to dozens of MPs in constituencies where Ukip threatens to rob Labour of the votes needed to return to power next year, the Telegraph said.
A Labour spokesman said: “Everyone is in total agreement that we should be — and are — campaigning on immigration.
“That’s why Ed Miliband is making his fourth major intervention on immigration today and launching the second of Labour’s election pledges on the issue ... As the document makes clear, Labour will face the issue of immigration directly with UKIP supporters.”
