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Analysing the candidates who want to succeed Gordon Brown as leader of the Labour Party

This Saturday will indicate Labour's future for the next four to five years. Who will be their leader and try to defeat the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition Government? This leadership race has never been as tight and exciting since recent years.

The votes are in and are currently being counted carefully as this headline will be in the history books. We've never seen two brothers head to head in a prize so prestigious as leading the opposition party who lost power after 13 years at 10 Downing Street. We've not seen a woman so close in being appointed one of the important job titles, this country will get. It's going to be interesting.

Let me analyse, critically of every single one of the five candidates who have campaigned hard throughout the summer. All of them did all they could to convince the UK public what they have to offer, now it's my turn to speak my opinion in this blog.

David Miliband
He's one of the strongest contenders of this post and was strongly speculated to have replaced Gordon Brown if he resigned before the general election. If he doesn't win, he will be the most frustrated candidate of all. He has been trying so hard to be a "Labour man" and follow the footsteps of Tony Blair, without being him of course. Blair to David was a God-like character. He wants to be young, charismatic, sharp and intelligent like Mr. Blair in 1997. There are signs that he has the right to be Labour leader but somehow, I am still not convinced by him.

I think this, because he is missing some ingredients which can defeat David Cameron and Nick Clegg. Cameron won because he won the people who changed their minds from voting Labour to the Tories. Could David Miliband convert the convertees back to the red team? It's going to be hard and he has to be as cunning as possible in order to to so. Tony Blair had the enthusiasm and the team backed him in every movement. He needs an Alastair Campbell who can give him the experience to be strong minded and laugh at the press, to laugh at the Conservatives, to be organised and put his head in the right direction.

One mention of support is his wife. If he's to lead Labour, he has an American wife who can easily get along with the Obama's. Their US cultures will be alike and therefore a stronger relationship between the two countries would be as powerful as ever. It will be interesting how this would incure over the years, especially when David has had dealings with Barack Obama et al as Foreign Minister.

Ed Miliband
The brother head-to-head has never been so fierced and I'm surprised both David and Ed haven't had a cat fight yet. It's tight. Ed is now considered as favourite to be Labour leader according to some betting companies but it's close.

He has the same intentions as his brother and if he does win, there doesn't seem much difference between him and David. They have similar minds, they have the same mum. And if Ed wins, David would be a huge part of the Labour party like being the deputy leader rather than Hariett Harman. We don't know, but all we know is that he'sa strong contender.

Out of all the candidates, Ed Miliband seems to have given the biggest question mark over the heads of the British public. When Labour was in power, he was a minister who would control the decisions involving the environment. Not as prestigious and "big" as David's Foreign Secretary role. Ed's wife is expecting a baby very soon and if on Saturday she is to give birth and he is to win the leadership race, it would be a perfect day for the family for sure.

Ed Balls

When the going get's tough, the tough get's going. This is how Ed Balls will remind me of. Out of all the contenders of this race, he looks like the most likely to be raised by a working class family. I'm using stereotypes but he may thank me for this.

A leader of a political party's dream is to "connect with the lower class citizens" and if he looks like one, he could win their votes back. Automatically, he get's a tick in being a suitable Prime Minister. But, I have a problem with him - in my opinion he's like David Cameron and may Conservativeise the Labour Party which seems to be moving towards right wing by the years.

He's been a Labour politician for years during both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown reigns. Mr. Blair recently released his memoirs and heavily criticised Balls. Ed Balls's reaction since has simply been a shrug on the shoulders which for a person who wants to be a leader, is a bad sign. His attitude may be on the rocks and it may not have helped with his hostile relationship with Brown. He won't be easily pleased with anything unless he wins this prize. Then he would realise how difficult being the leader of a country really is.

Diane Abbott
A lot of people can argue that the only reason why Diane Abbott is a candidate for this role is because she is simply a woman and it would look good on Labour if they had equal rights, gender-wise. My argument is that she is my favourite candidate.

I don't want to be the type who just decides on the winner straight away but I feel as if she can turn things around for the Labour Party. Most argue that she's the leftiest person out of all the contenders for leadership but I think that it's a good thing. Labour mustn't fall into the Tories's trap and also be more right-wing than left. Ms. Abbott could bring left-wing spirits back to Labour. And to top that off, we could have our first black Prime Minister. Another piece of history to be written.

She's wild, wacky and sassy. Labour need to loosen up and act as if they are on planet Earth. Smile and it would take you far in life, and could also take you back in power quicker than you might think.

One problem though and it's a biggy which the press will thrive on - she's divorced and haven't found herself another husband. So if she does win this election and the main one in 2015, who will join her in waving to the public? Her brother which no-one knows, surely not?

Andy Burnham
The biggest underdog in the whole race. In the form of elimination (which will be the way the winner will be announced), most people say that Burnham will finish fifth, i.e. last place.

It's a shame because he looks like a genuine individual. However in politics, you have to play dirty and he doesn't look the sort to win battles. The best way of putting it is that he is a softy. I hope he does well though and his campaign has been strong and ambitious.

It's all my opinion though, the real talk will be on Saturday before teatime before the X-Factor and everything else, keeping your mind at rest.

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