Star comment: Ed Miliband & Co failing to leave an impression

Another is trust. Will the voters trust the same bunch which left the country in such a mess when they were booted out of office last time round?

It is the luxury of being in opposition that when things are going badly you do not have to do or say very much to look good. For the past few years Ed Miliband and Ed Balls have relied on making gloomy predictions and sniping at the Government.

There are now signs that the economy is getting better, which means that the only really good card in the hands of the two Eds is becoming of fading value. More is expected of them. But what do they have to offer?

The sweets are starting to come out of the box. Working parents of three and four year olds in England will get 25 hours of free childcare a week if Labour win the next election, says Ed Balls. He will bash the banks to pay for it.

Policies for children are shaping up to be a new battleground. But this is merely a sideshow. What counts is the economy, and here Mr Balls has a lot of convincing to do. He has tried to address the credibility issue by asking the Office for Budget Responsibility to look over his pledges. It will not. It is not its job.

In any event, should not a shadow chancellor be able to do his own sums?

And then there is Mr Miliband himself. He is a leader who has so far failed to define himself.

Even his own supporters struggle to discern what he is for and what he is against. He leaves the impression of somebody who has yet to make up his mind.

So his personal challenge is to define himself and his party, connect with the voters, and provide a sense of direction.

He has to hit his stride soon – time for Labour is running out.