The conference was told that Labour's shadow cabinet would visit Wales in the run-up to the 2015 general election to learn from Labour assembly members.

BBC: Wales politics

Andrew Lansley, the Conservatives' shadow cabinet office minister, said Mr Bell's decision to run would not reflect badly on the party at the polls.

BBC: You are in: UK Politics

But while invoking the memory of Mr Chavez may have been a good campaign strategy, working under his shadow may be risky for Mr Maduro in the long run, according to Mr Magdaleno.

BBC: How will Hugo Chavez's legacy impact Venezuela's polls?

As the Commons embarked on the second day of debate on the contents of the Queen's Speech on 19 November, Mr Balls accused shadow schools secretary Michael Gove of trying to "run down" the achievements of young people by claiming they only had to respond to "Mickey Mouse" test questions, which had been "dumbed down".

BBC: Queen's Speech debate: Education and health

Others in the shadow cabinet fear that the Scottish people might succumb to buyers' remorse and give Alex Salmond another run as First Minister in 2016.

BBC: Has Miliband got his nations in a twist?