And so, the Labour leadership battle is over. Ed Miliband has triumphed over his biggest rival....his older brother David.

I think this has been the problem with this leadership race. Rather than being a focus on who is the best person for the job, giving us an incite into politics and policies, the press have made this all about the sibling rivalry between them. And in many ways it is understandable; two brothers going head-to-head is perhaps a more newsworthy subject.

It is perhaps unavoidable too given that Ed often introduced himself as 'the other Miliband' at meetings when both he and his brother worked in backroom roles for the Labour party.

At a time when economic development is critical, unemployment is at a depressing level and conflict continues abroad, parliamentary opposition need strength, guidance and a boost in the opinion polls through strong leadership. Hopefully the press' focus will now be on the politics of Ed Miliband.

In his first speech as leader Ed Miliband has declared the Labour Party wrong to invade Iraq. He reminded the nation that he never became an M.P until 2005, after the invasion had began.

And while mentioning that the 'special relationship' with the United States is one which is important, he noted: "we must always remember that our values must shape the alliances that we form and any military action that we take."

A bold statement which says that Britain must not just jump to any decision that the United States makes to remain in favour with them, like a weaker child in the playground sucking up to the bully to guarantee protection.

Perhaps a new era is what's needed. The once-defined red of the left and blue of the right have merged into a murky brown. Personal attacks and party politics often cloud judgement and make politics about attacking the opposition's weaknesses.

Now the leadership race is over, the new Labour leader can hopefully move out of his brother's shadow, improve on Labour's disasterous election defeat and move them back into challenging the coalition government.