Peace... for a time

So for now the internecine war within the Labour Party is at an end... at least until the party conference rolls around or until Gordon makes another balls up of things and does his party trick of running away and letting someone else take the blame.

I have already said that he will be seen as the Jim Callaghan of his generation - the PM who bottled an autumn election that he almost certainly would have won and lost/will lose a spring election.

It is my belief that David Miliband will be seen as the Michael Portillo of the Labour Party, a man who twice had the opportunity to strike and twice lost his nerve.

Next Labour leader? Alan Johnson, possibly, as a stopgap but for the future - James Purnell.

Miliband is not prime ministerial - although nor are any of the others

David Miliband writes an article for a little-read newspaper outlining his view for a Labour future and suddenly he is launching his bid for the leadership.

Former Blairite favourite Peter Mandelson says, "It would be a very strange government if there was nobody amongst the higher ranks who was not sufficiently qualified to be a future leader.

"I am not saying [David Miliband] is a candidate or that there is or should be a race but equally the government does have lots of talent and thank God for it."

That's the problem that could also be Gordon Brown's saving - there are not any big beasts on the Labour front benches who could take over. Jacqui Smith? Ed Balls? Miliband? They are hardly Cabinet material let alone prime ministerial.

Most of them are anonymous yes men (and women) - "government of all the talents"? Don't make me laugh...