As soon as Ed Miliband falters

Above: self-criticism is a crucial part of any cultural revolution.

I have been following the Labour leadership contest with interest.

The difficulty Ed Miliband faces is that he only got the support of one tranche of the party (and not the parliamentary MPs, who are arguably the most important part).

This will not matter if things go well.

However, the House of Commons is filled (all parties) with ego-centric ultra-competitive narcissistic fuhrer-embryos. As soon as Ed Miliband falters it is the nature of these people to want to take his place. They will tell us (even perhaps tell themselves) that this is their duty, but really they can't help themselves - like terriers furiously chasing a rabbit they will not be able to stop.

Only when the Labour reaches the slough of electoral despondency will the plotters give up (and then only because the prize will no longer be worth having).

Uneasy the head that wears the crown (Henry VI part 2).