 In the run-up to the 2005 general election, Diamond worked as a special adviser to the election co-ordinator, Alan Milburn MP, leading the management of the Labour Party's manifesto and preparation of the government's third-term policy programme.In 2004, there was speculation that Diamond would seek selection as a parliamentary candidate, though this speculation remained unrealised.After the Labour Party's victory in the 2005 General Election, Diamond was appointed as Director of the think tank Policy Network and took on a number of academic positions.