Man behind the notorious ‘Ed Stone’ is ennobled
ONE of the senior Labour strategists credited with devising the “Ed Stone” has been given a peerage alongside a series of former ministers.
Spencer Livermore served as Ed Miliband’s campaign strategist during this year’s disastrous general election campaign and was also a key aide under Gordon Brown.
He was among the senior party figures who approved the “Ed Stone” – the eight-foot limestone monolith that had Mr Miliband’s manifesto pledges carved into its face.
The monument came to symbolise Mr Miliband’s shambolic election cam- paign and was mocked by his critics and members of his own party. Labour’s peerage nominations, made by Mr Miliband, included former Cabinet ministers David Blunkett, Peter Hain, Dame Tessa Jowell and Paul Murphy.
Mr Miliband said: “I am delighted to honour eight people who have served the Labour Party over many years and will be eloquent, passionate advocates in the House of Lords.
“Their range of experience is remarkable.
“I know from my conversations with all of them that they will be peers who will focus on holding the Government to account, advancing Labour’s case and vigorously advancing progressive causes.”
Mr Hain, a former Cabinet minister, resigned from the Labour front bench after failing to declare donations.
Dame Tessa, who is standing for Mayor of London, was criticised for accepting the peerage.
She said: “I’m very proud to have been nominated by the Labour Party. I thought long and hard about accepting this honour given my ambition to run London. I’m accepting this, to speak up for London in the House of Lords.
“Our city is watching on whilst Scotland, Wales and even Manchester are enjoying more and more powers to shape their own destiny.”