“That is was why I ran. That’s what I believe. That’s why I think society needs to change.”

Mr Miliband added: “In the end he’s got to decide whether he wants to play a role in the shadow cabinet or not. So the answer doesn’t change on that.

“But he’s been incredibly supportive to me in relation to the speech I gave on Tuesday and throughout the last year.”

The Labour leader’s comments come after David Miliband spoke to The Journal at the start of the Labour conference – and we directly asked whether he wanted to join his brother’s top team.

The South Shields MP said: “I say the same thing always to everyone, which is that I think I made the right decision last year.

“I promised I would give Ed the space to lead the party as he sees fit, I wasn’t going to be part of a soap opera. And so I am here to support the party and support the leadership.”

And he declared that his movement for change campaign, aiming to rebuild Labour through grassroots campaigning, was key to assisting his brother.

“It is my way of supporting Ed, supporting the party and helping us back into Government.

“He’s been very supportive, the party’s been supportive, which is good,” said the older Miliband brother.