Hiring any PR guru locally or from abroad to snatch Ed Miliband from the jaws of inexorable electoral defeat at the next general election is delusory, and a waste of time, effort and money.

Beyond a shadow of doubt, Labour lost the next general election – and probably the one after that too – the moment that Ed Miliband was voted leader of the Labour party. Had it been David Miliband or even Harriet Harman, Labour may have stood a chance, but Ed as leader… no chance. Labour is unelectable – full stop.

Apart from being totally devoid of any charm, charisma or social grace, Ed Miliband has no supportive constituent hinterland.

Middle class, mainstream England will not vote for him as he is not of their ilk; ethnically-orientated communities will not vote for him since he is not one of them and does not empathise with them. Even among his ‘own community’ he is persona non grata and he will not garner the Jewish vote as he denigrates his ancestral faith, spurns his parental legacy and derides his spiritual heritage.

With such debilitating baggage, electoral defeat is an inevitable certainty.

Ed Miliband is David Cameron’s most valuable asset and Labour’s biggest liability.

Tragically, the principal casualty is democracy, as the alternatives are so repellent, and dreadfully unappealing. I am thoroughly dispirited.

SI Dason

Green Lane, Hendon