David Miliband, who was defeated by younger brother Ed Miliband for the post of leader of Britain's Opposition Labour Party, may quit politics, a media report said on Monday. David could quit frontline politics rather than serve under his brother Ed, Daily Express reported.
The shadow foreign secretary didn't attend the new leader’s first address to Labour MPs in Manchester, leading to speculation on Sunday night that he may leave politics. Ed, 40, was on Saturday chosen to be the next leader of Labour Party in a tight contest with David, 45.
He takes over the Labour leadership after the party was ousted in the general election in May following 13 years in power. The media report quoted sources as saying that David was in a quandary about accepting a subordinate shadow cabinet role under his younger brother.
Ed said Sunday: “He (David) needs time to think about the contribution he can make and we’ve got shadow cabinet elections next week, so there is time for that.” While it was believed that Ed will ask David to become shadow chancellor, sources indicated David would resist the offer.
Labour party insiders are of the opinion that David would prefer to continue in his current job for a year before making a dignified exit to a diplomatic post.