He says he will support David Milliband.

Oh my god. And Alan seems like a decent person. Surely the nation won't warm to David Miliband? I had 'dealings' with him ages ago and was thoroughly unimpressed. His Dad wrote the dullest and dimmest book on Marxism I've ever read, and this chilly stick insect actually makes that text seem endearing by comparison. Does he have a form of charisma only visible to other politicians? It's like Gareth from The Office being nominated for manager.

Sounds like a poor decision... I've never met anyone who was impressed by the David Millerband, he just comes across as a clone amd a creep. Johnson is probably playing for the long-term - he knows he currently would be 'up against it' by the inter-party support for Milliband, and will just bide his time in order to be the next PM

Didn't Alan say a while ago that he didn't feel he was up to being leader? It was refreshingly honest, but it would certainly get dredged up if he ever changed his mind. He's much more admirable though than most of those amoral androids around him.

Alan's Desert Island Discs:

1. And Your Bird Can sing.
Performer The Beatles
Composer Lennon/McCartney
CD Title Revolver
Track 9
Label PARLOPHONE
Rec No CDP7464412

2. You Little Fool
Performer Elvis Costello & the Attractions
Composer Elvis Costello
CD Title Imperial Bedroom
Track 14
Label IMP FIEND
Rec No CD36

3. Friday On My Mind
Performer Easy Beats
Composer Vanda/Young
CD Title Friday On My Mind:24 60’s Classics
Track Cd2 trk 6
Label OLD GOLD
Rec No OG3208

4. Drive in Saturday
Performer David Bowie
Composer David Bowie
CD Title Aladdin Sane
Track 3
Label EMI
Rec No CDP7947682

5.A Man Needs a Maid
Performer Neil Young and the London Symphony Orchestra
Composer Neil Young
CD Title Harvest
Track 3
Label REPRISE
Rec No 7599272392

6.Adagietto from Symphony No 5 in C Sharp Minor
Performer The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Frank Shipway
Composer Mahler
CD Title Mahler
Track 4
Label CENTURION
Rec No 04494

7 Cityscape Skybaby
Performer Super Furry Animals
Composer Super Furry Animals
CD Title Phantom Power
Track 10
Label EPIC
Rec No 5123752

8.Beneath The Sun
Performer Halima
Composer Frava/Daunt/Johnson
CD Title Beneath the Sun
Track 5
Label CHAMPION
Rec No CHAMP CD1035

Record: And your Bird Can Sing
Book: The Complete Pepy’s diaries
Luxury: A digital radio