Red Ed ‘rules out return to frontline role’

ED Miliband is to rule out a return to frontline politics, it was claimed last night.

The former Labour leader, who quit after his crushing general election defeat in May, is expected to remain on the backbenches when a new leader is chosen.

His decision will end speculation he could take a senior role under Jeremy Corbyn – and could be seen as a snub to the veteran socialist.

Conservatives William Hague and Iain Duncan Smith both returned to cabinet positions after being in charge of their party while in opposition.

But Mr Miliband will indicate he wishes to campaign on issues such as climate change and inequality away from the Labour frontbench, the Times reported.

According to reports, allies of Mr Corbyn had hoped to bring Mr Miliband into the shadow cabinet if he wins the leadership election next week. It is claimed elements within the Corbyn camp wanted to make him shadow foreign secretary.

The move would have been seen as an attempt to calm moderate Labour MPs over Mr Corbyn’s stance on the Trident nuclear weapon system.

The frontrunner is said to be increasingly confident of winning the leadership race and is shortlisting colleagues to join his top team.

It is understood most members of the current shadow cabinet – including Andy Burnham, Chuka Umunna and Harriet Harman – will be offered a role.

In a tactic aimed at calling the bluff of those who may plot against him, even those who have publicly opposed him such as Tristram Hunt and emma Reynolds will be offered shadow ministerial roles.

Mr Corbyn’s inner circle are anxious to avoid civil war in the party and are confident many frontbenchers will agree to serve under his leadership rather than spend years in the wilderness, Labour sources said.

Shadow business secretary Mr Umunna, who is backing

Seen as a snub to Corbyn

Blairite Liz Kendall, has urged Labour to unite around Mr Corbyn if he wins – in what supporters of the Left-winger have taken as an admission of impending victory.

Veteran left-wing allies of Mr Corbyn such as John McDonnell and Jon Trickett will be given shadow cabinet roles, with Mr McDonnell tipped to be shadow chancellor. MPs and staunchly opposed to Mr Corbyn say privately an immediate coup would be very difficult, especially if he wins the support of the nearly 300,000 full members – not just the 121,000 ‘registered supporters’ and 190,000 trade unionists.

Yvette Cooper and Miss Kendall said they would not serve under Mr Corbyn; Mr Burnham has made clear he would.