Mixed reaction to Miliband move

There has been a mixed reaction in the north-east to the news that defeated Labour leadership contender David Miliband may become a non-executive vice-chairman at Sunderland FC specialising in community work.   Since losing the leadership to his younger brother, Ed Miliband, he has been looking for useful roles which have included teaching politics part-time at his local school.  He may also undertake television work, avoiding anything that could be seen as an attempt to undermine his brother's leadership role.

The Milibands are part of the North London intellectual aristocracy, their father having been a Marxist professor at LSE.   It is therefore no surprise that David Miliband is a Gooner, although he could have supported Spurs.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce commented:  'I did ask for a left-winger.  I didn't expect this.'