THERE is no doubt that the Coalition Government is going through a difficult patch.

Too many policies – most notably NHS reforms – have not been properly thought through and backtracking is becoming an all too frequent necessity.

But, for all the trials and tribulations within a government which has been in too much of a blind rush, the Labour Party has been slow to take advantage.

Ed Miliband is a long way from being a convincing leader of the Labour Party, let alone the country.

He has not yet caught the public’s imagination.

Yesterday, David Miliband was forced to issue a statement backing his brother and calling for Labour Party unity following allegations of a simmering family feud.

In denials reminiscent of those which were necessary during the turbulent Blair-Brown years, the brothers insist there is no truth in claims in a new book that they are “at war”

with each other over Ed’s surprise victory in the Labour leadership contest.

Nevertheless, it is a distraction the Labour Party could do without at a time when it needs to focus all its energy on being a strong opposition to a government which has embarked on a controversial and difficult course.

Labour needs to unite behind its leader. The question is whether it has a leader who can earn the loyalty of party members – and, ultimately, the trust of the electorate.