#A to Z BBC Help Terms of Use BBC Accessibility links * Skip to content * Skip to local navigation * Skip to bbc.co.uk navigation * Skip to bbc.co.uk search * Help * Accessibility Help BBC News UK Politics * Home * UK * Africa * Asia * Europe * Latin America * Mid-East * US & Canada * Business * Health * Sci/Environment * Tech * Entertainment * Video * England * Northern Ireland * Scotland * Wales * UK Politics * Education 29 September 2010 Last updated at 16:11 GMT Share this page * Delicious * Digg * Facebook * reddit * StumbleUpon * Twitter * Email * Print Extracts from David Miliband's letter David Miliband David Miliband said his brother needed to be "as free as possible from distraction" Continue reading the main story Labour Party conference * Labour are fortified, says Harman * We're a new generation - Miliband * The Ed Miliband Story * Mixed mood at Labour 2010 David Miliband has announced that he will not be submitting his name for Labour's shadow cabinet, and therefore will be walking away from front-line politics. The following is an extract from the letter he wrote to the chairman of his South Shields constituency, Alan Donnelly, to confirm his decision: "On the day that nominations closed for the shadow cabinet, I think it right to explain to you and party members why I think I can best support him [Ed] from the back benches. "The party needs a fresh start from its new leader, and I think that is more likely to be achieved if I make a fresh start. "This has not been an easy decision, but having thought it through, and discussed it with family and friends, I am absolutely confident it is the right decision for Ed, for the party, and for me and the family." "This is now Ed's party to lead and he needs to be able to do so as free as possible from distraction. "Any new leader needs time and space to set his or her own direction, priorities and policies. "I believe this will be harder if there is constant comparison with my comments and position as a member of the shadow cabinet. "This is because of the simple fact that Ed is my brother, who has just defeated me for the leadership. "I genuinely fear perpetual, distracting and destructive attempts to find division where there is none, and splits where they don't exist, all to the detriment of the party's cause." More on This Story Labour Party conference * Harriet Harman Labour are fortified, says Harman Harriet Harman says Labour will be "fortified" by its new leader, after a "roller coaster of emotions", as she closes the party's conference. ______________________________________________________________ Latest News * We're a new generation - Miliband * The Ed Miliband Story * Mixed mood at Labour 2010 * Clickable video of leader's speech * Miliband quits frontline politics * Ed Miliband: 'I will get married' * Shadow cabinet: 49 MPs in ballot * Nick Brown not standing as whip * Kinnock: We've got our party back Features * Labour leader Ed Miliband Landale's View: What Ed meant Labour leader Ed Miliband has set forth the changes he'll make as the optimistic new guy in charge, writes BBC deputy political editor James Landale. ______________________________________________________________ * The David Miliband Story Video and Audio * Labour Party unveiling new leader * Kuenssberg meets: Andy Burnham Watch * Kuenssberg meets: Ed Balls Watch * Kuenssberg meets: David Miliband Watch * Kuenssberg meets: Ed Miliband Watch * Kuenssberg meets: Diane Abbott Watch Related Internet links * The Labour Party The BBC is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites Share this page * Delicious * Digg * Facebook * reddit * StumbleUpon * Twitter * Email * Print More UK Politics stories RSS * David Cameron PM facing backlash over euro pact David Cameron is accused of a retreat by Conservative Eurosceptics after he agreed to the use of the European Court to enforce a new eurozone fiscal pact. * Gove: Academy opponents 'Trots' * Change bonus rules, says Miliband Top Stories * Soldiers in Free Syrian Army in Damascus (27 Jan 2012) UN action 'could spur Syria war' * Euro unemployment hits new record * Search of cruise ship abandoned * Republican rivals in Florida vote * French win India fighter jet deal Features & Analysis * Model cars and houses Golden salary What do people earning £1m ($1.5m) spend it on? ______________________________________________________________ * Planet Earth Planet mass Do rockets fired into space make the Earth lighter? ______________________________________________________________ * Occupy DC protesters shout slogans Day in pictures 24 hours of news photos from around the world ______________________________________________________________ * A foreclosure (repossession) sign in front of a house Money talks Has wealth become a liability in the US Republican race? ______________________________________________________________ Most Popular Shared 1. 1: Brits barred from US after tweet 2. 2: Skin transformed into brain cells 3. 3: Policeman who became a pole-dancer 4. 4: How 'Europe' became a dirty word in US election 5. 5: Pythons link to mammals decline Read 1. 1: Brits barred from US after tweet 2. 2: F1 driver Adrian Sutil convicted 3. 3: French win India fighter jet deal 4. 4: Navy sends destroyer to Falklands 5. 5: What do people on £1 million salaries do with their money? 6. 6: Search of cruise ship abandoned 7. 7: Pythons link to mammals decline 8. 8: Snake bursts after gobbling gator 9. 9: Is the Earth getting lighter? 10. 10: Euro unemployment hits new record Video/Audio 1. 1: 'Shame on you Simon Cowell' Watch 2. 2: One-minute World News Watch 3. 3: One way to find a rich Russian husband Watch 4. 4: Europe struggles in grip of snow Watch 5. 5: How computers help Sweden's ice sculptors Watch 6. 6: Mystery illness at US high school Watch 7. 7: Fear factor: The science behind America's red/blue divide Watch 8. 8: Life after death faces legal battle Watch 9. 9: Beijing's pole-dancing former policeman Watch 10. 10: India's richest shrine goes green Watch Elsewhere on BBC News * India's Tirupati Temple. 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