AJ wades in

Now is not Miliband's time says AJ in the Guardian.

Too right.

Personally I want Gordon to be leader next.

And then after him I want it to be someone else of a similar age or a bit younger after him - John Reid or Alan Johnson himself for instance.

And then in about 15 years time when he will still only be 56 I want to see if either David Miliband or Ed Balls has grown into the job, or a woman candidate like Caroline Flint or Yvette Cooper, or any of a number of middle ranking Ministers who are currently quietly making a name for themselves.

Let's have a few more paced - marathon not sprint - ministerial careers on the model of Wilson (Joined Cabinet 1947, became Leader 16 years later), Callaghan (joined Shadow Cabinet 1951, became PM 25 years later) or John Smith (Joined Cabinet 1978, became Leader 14 years later) or non-leaders like Healey (Joined Shadow Cabinet 1959 and didn't leave it until 1987).

We need as a Party to get as many productive years out of our best politicians as we can. Fast-tracking them so, like Blair, they leave office aged just 53, is a ridiculous waste.

Guys like Miliband should pace themselves so they are still in Labour cabinets contributing in 25 or 30 years time.