When Miliband wasn’t getting the names of his “friends in the journalistic community” wrong in the Q&A after his speech, he was fudging a series of questions about how his union reform will actually work. Crucially he would not give an answer on the key question of timing. Will the reforms happen before conference? Before the election? Ed wouldn’t say. He also dodged questions about Gordon’s other jobs and whether he would resign if he cannot convince the unions to come on board.

Ed spokesman on time scale: "I'm sure you will remind him if he has not done this by the election."

— Harry Cole (@MrHarryCole) July 9, 2013

Len McCluskey’s smile and praise for the speech tell Guido he thinks the reforms won’t really dilute his power. “One Man One Direct Debit” is very simple: if money goes direct to Labour Party, the reform is real. If it goes via the unions, it isn’t. Follow the money…