David Miliband stated he wrestled with the decision to leave British politics before accepting a job in New York.
David Miliband has revealed he is quitting British politics because he fears he is distracting from Labour’s attempts to regain power.
The former foreign secretary, who has accepted a charity job in New York declared that was an easy decision to make.
But he insisted it was the right move for him and the party because it would allow Labour under his younger brother Ed’s leadership to progress.
Mr Miliband, who was narrowly beaten to the party leadership by Ed in 2010, will take up a senior role with the International Rescue Committee in September.
The charity was founded in the 1930s to help those fleeing the Nazis and now has 12,000 staff working in over 40 countries to protect people and save lives
Mr Miliband told that the “fascination” with his relationship with Ed was clouding Labour’s fight against the Tories.
He said he felt the narrative about two brothers who had fought each other for the top job was obscuring “the real choice for he country”.
“I didn’t want to become a distraction. I think it’s the right decision for the party as well as for me. It is something I have struggled to accept but I have come to accept,” he said.
He added: “I have wrestled with this because I want to do everything possible to ensure a Labour government and support Ed in what he is doing.”
Mr Miliband earlier explained that he felt his new job “brings together his personal story and political life” because he his own father fled to Britain in 1940 to escape Hitler.
He told constituency chairman Alan Donnelly in his resignation letter: “I feel that in doing this job I will be repaying a personal debt.
“It is a strong, innovative and inspirational organisation, with the potential to change lives and help shape the global conversation about the growing challenge of displaced people around the world.”
He added: “It represents a new challenge and a new start.”
Hailing his brother’s “real success” as leader, he said: “I am very pleased and proud that our shared goal of making this a one-term government is achievable.”
Mr Miliband, 47, who is nicknamed “brains”, quit the shadow cabinet after losing the the knife-edge vote for the party leadership three years ago.
But there had been widespread rumours that he could make a return to the front bench, with Ed repeatedly insisting “the door is always open”.
His decision to quit politics entirely has saddened many Labour MPs and it will be seen as a severe blow to the right of the party.
Ed insisted he was “delighted” about his brother’s new job and praised the “huge contribution” he had made to Britain and Labour over the years.
“We went through a difficult leadership contest but time has helped to heal that,” he said in a statement.
“I will miss him. But although he is moving to America, I know he will always be there to offer support and advice when I need it.
“British politics will be a poorer place without David. But his huge talents will be serving people around the world.”
Tony Blair congratulated his one-time aide on his new job and was among several to express hope that he would one day return to the British political frontline.
“He is obviously a massive loss to UK politics. He was the head of my policy unit and then a truly distinguished Minister in the Government and remains one of the most capable progressive thinkers and leaders globally,” he said.
“I hope and believe this is time out not time over.”
Mr Miliband, 47, who is nicknamed “brains”, quit the shadow cabinet after losing the the knife-edge vote for the party leadership three years ago.
But there had been widespread rumours that he could make a return to the front bench, with Ed repeatedly insisting “the door is always open”.
His decision to quit politics entirely has saddened many Labour MPs and it will be seen as a severe blow to the right of the party.
Ed insisted he was “delighted” about his brother’s new job and praised the “huge contribution” he had made to Britain and Labour over the years.
“We went through a difficult leadership contest but time has helped to heal that,” he said in a statement.
“I will miss him. But although he is moving to America, I know he will always be there to offer support and advice when I need it.
“British politics will be a poorer place without David. But his huge talents will be serving people around the world.”
Tony Blair congratulated his one-time aide on his new job and was among several to express hope that he would one day return to the British political frontline.
“He is obviously a massive loss to UK politics. He was the head of my policy unit and then a truly distinguished Minister in the Government and remains one of the most capable progressive thinkers and leaders globally,” he said.
“I hope and believe this is time out not time over.”
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