Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon and saying they guessed long ago that Ed Miliband would be the next Labour leader, including Iain Dale and Guardian writer Jenni Russell, to name but a couple.
But I believe he set his heart on it much longer than most people realised, and that his simmering ambition had been spotted by those close around him as long as three years ago.
I met the ace PR blogger Stuart Bruce , a keen Labour supporter, at a social media event in London in April 2007 and we talked about David Miliband’s blog which he was writing as Environment Secretary. He had been advising him on this and told me he had personally recommended my blog as one for David to include on his website, and my link sat there along with Sky’s Adam Boulton and the BBC’s Nick Robinson, as well as other leading UK bloggers. I did feel privileged, despite our political differences.
We then talked about whether David would become the next Labour leader and Stuart said no, that the one to watch out for was Ed Miliband. He was aware then that either Ed wanted to pursue the Labour leadership, or others had spotted his potential, including Stuart.
As a very driven and politically hungry younger brother, he must have felt marginalised and in the shadow of David who later became Foreign Secretary. But just like Tony Blair failed to deal with Gordon Brown, so did David when he ducked the chance to challenge his leadership at a time when his party and the country felt increasingly disenchanted with him. He failed to seize the moment.
I suspect it is one regret he will live with for the rest of his life, but I hope he doesn’t let it turn into bitterness. He had a standing ovation today for praising Ed. As we know, it’s harder to be a lose than a winner. I can’t say whether David feels able to serve in Ed’s Shadow Cabinet, the personal hurt might be too great.
At the end of the day Ed’s fierce determination to win superceded brotherly love and loyalty. But that’s what makes politics so gripping.
What does their mother think?
WW, or father?
I haven’t a clue who they are !!
Whoever’s Labour leader now most certainly won’t be by the time they next get into power ~ which will hopefully be a v long time ~ David M can console himself with that.
What a fabulous mess they made last time!
Eroding our civil liberties, destroying our economy e.g. when “New” Labour’s supposedly fantastically competent former chancellor Gordon Brown borrowed TWENTY BILLION (or was it thirty? It was a hell of a lot) in a year when we were doing WELL. When on earth did he think Britain would be flush enough to pay that kind of money back??
I think it says everything that until Blair came along, Labour had never been elected for as much as 2 consecutive terms! They put themselves forward as the party in league with trades unions, yet hisorically, Labour governments have had nothing but trouble from the unions.
All I have to do is think about British politics and I remember why I want to LEAVE THE COUNTRY ~ AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
Welcome to the new Michael Foot and Neil Kinnock….another certain vote-loser.
My local MP also said some while ago that Ed was the one to watch out for as next leader.
Deckchairs on the Titanic, Ellee.
WW, there was a comment in The Times saying their mother felt very proud of Ed, and sorry for David. What else could she be quoted as saying, though their father has not uttered a word, and he is supposed to have been a big influence in their political lives.
I think “Red” Ed’s Trade Union support will haunt him throughout his leadership. How many times has he said he is his own man? Who is he trying to convince? Fraser Nelson on Newsnight last night was saying that the Unions will want something back in return for their huge backing which gave him the crown, and I think so too.
I shall watch and wait, and listen to you!
Their father would have a bit of a problem making a comment as he died in 1994 !
Another Marxist ” thinker ”
Its beyond me how Jews who escaped the Nazis could still blab on about the wonders of commmunism , just two different sides of the same vile coin .
And where did they get the money to buy large pads in Primrose Hill where they entertained the likes of Tony Benn ?
As for Little Eddie Milipead , what treachery comes to mind , he talked his big brother out of standing against Brown now we know why .
Im sure that Davids wife will be determined to destroy Edward starting with getting David to leave politics and go to America ( would you want to stay in the same room never mind country of such a creep )
Wonder if they will spend Christmas all together at Mums this year !
disaffected, yes, I’d forgotten about the father’s death, thanks for the correction.
I don’t think the two brothers will ever be close again. I didn’t think Ed’s speech was inspiring and he has poor presentation skills and body language, especially compared to David Cameron. There is no vocal variety, to start with. I doubt Big Brother will stay and support Ed, especially as they have opposing views on crucial issues.