I’ve been following the drama surrounding David Miliband’s recent Guardian article. The whole fiasco has started to resemble something out of a Shakespeare play - be it Julius Caesar or A Comedy of Errors, the plot becomes more complex by the day.

Political commentators have been trying to outdo The Bard with stories of naked ambition, treachery and plotting the ruler’s downfall. However, the beauty of Shakespeare is that, as well as telling a good story, his plays relate to all walks of life.

The Miliband saga is part of a dilemma we’ve all seen replicated in the workplace. The young ambitious corporate climber finds his/her fast track career halting as they’re expected to wait in line behind experience. The established manager may not necessarily be the better candidate for the hotly contested promotion. Nonetheless it’s not the done thing to upset the status quo.

However, when an opportunity presents itself, the dilemma is, should the ambitious younger candidate seize it or wait their turn? Would you try and overtake the colleague who hired you if you thought you could do a better job? The answer perhaps depends on how much value we put on the experience of elders.

We are witnessing a running thread in political debate of the legitimacy of experience challenged by the appeal of youth and change. We see McCain using Obama’s youth and celebrity-like popularity to question his suitability to lead. The American presidential election is undoubtedly being fought along the clear battle lines of change versus experience.

The battle between experience and youth was seemingly fought and won in the Conservative Party, with the ascent of David Cameron. What if this battle were to take place within Labour and be won by another David? How would this play out at a general election? Newer New Labour versus the New Tories? Both leaders could lay claim to represent youth and change.

The clear difference would come down to their policies and which of the two Davids would be better at communicating them to the electorate. Ironically, a shared first name isn’t the only thing they have in common. There are marked similarities between them.

Both are Oxford graduates, in their early forties with young families. Both see themselves as environmentalists. However Miliband is still one rung down from Cameron as he has yet to become leader of his party - though if the speculation is true, he might not have to wait too long.

Miliband’s article has caused many a Brownite to call for his dismissal, which would invariably weaken the Government’s front bench and suggest disunity within the ranks. What will probably happen is that there will be a discussion on how best to use Miliband’s abilities in government whilst addressing his current frustrations.

In any workplace where there are ambitious, capable young people who are frustrated, a discussion needs to take place. If someone has talent they need to be given an opportunity to show it, though that’s easier said than done if they are after the boss’s job.