The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

The modest Miliband

He doesn’t even mind being called the wrong name.

By Sholto Byrnes Published 18 August 2010 18:01

Everyone I've talked to whose working life owes nothing to Westminster or the media has voiced reservations about how David Miliband comes across.

"Arrogant", "too sure of himself", "acts as though his interviewer is stupid" are some of the comments I've heard about the shadow foreign secretary. His younger brother, Ed, however, has produced nothing but expressions of interest (albeit sometimes quite mild interest).

The shadow energy secretary demonstrated this afternoon the modesty, almost diffidence, that makes him such a refreshing change from most of the overly cocksure New Labour luminaries.

Twice during an interview on Sky News just before 3pm, the presenter, Anna Botting, mixed him up with another of the Labour leadership contenders. "Come on, Mr Balls," she said first, a misidentification that Miliband merely ignored.

She then signed off the interview, which lasted some minutes, by thanking "Ed Balls" for appearing on the programme. In the half-second Miliband had to respond with the usual mutual thanks, he did just that, having the good grace to look slightly startled but amused, rather than cross, to be referred to by a rival's name not once but twice.

Can you imagine any of the other contenders resisting the temptation to correct the presenter in a very firm tone of voice? If I had one, Ed M would get my vote.

Tags: Ed Miliband David Miliband Labour leadership

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15 comments

Wed, 2010-08-18 19:56 — Stuart Mason (not verified)

I'm voting for Ed (probably) but I think David gets a lot of unfair stick - I haven't been able to attend any of the hustings but I've always thought of him as just a guy that knows a lot and really wants to communicate this to people. He may come across a bit earnest when he does this, but he's almost a refreshing opposite of shallow Call me Dave in that way; I think he has interesting things to stay, and I hope he sticks around if he loses.

My mum likes Andy Burnham. Maybe it's because he doesn't sound like he went to a politician's finishing school.

Wed, 2010-08-18 18:23 — Ellie (not verified)

Ed Miliband just sent out an e-mail claiming he was within touching distance of winning. If David Miliband had done that he would have been accused of entitlement and arrogance. It is a double standard.

Wed, 2010-08-18 18:27 — LabMike (not verified)

"acts as though his interviewer is stupid"

My ol' mum said near enough the exact same thing about David Miliband after that Newsnight hustings- she liked Ed Miliband and Andy Burnham. Really didn't like Diane Abbott, saying she came off like a "media darling", and I have to agree- as someone who had high hopes for Diane.

Wed, 2010-08-18 18:40 — Lou (not verified)

I watched D Milliband on the Radio 5 leadership debate and he was arrogant and he seemed quite disdainful of the others and indeed some questioners in the audience. I liked him even less after that debate which wasn't that hard to do considering I didn't like him in the first place. Every time I see him and hear him talk, I just see and hear Tony Blair and I don't believe we need another Tony Blair at the helm, it took us long enough to get rid of the real one.

Not sure Ed Milliband is the man for the job but out of the two Millibands, give me Ed any day, he seems by far the nicer of the two.

Wed, 2010-08-18 18:50 — Clem the Gem

As these two are most likely to win, why not boost Abbotts vote in the first round - make the collection of New Labourites think for a minute before disarming the opposition to the Whig/Tories.

Wed, 2010-08-18 20:28 — swatantra nandanwar

Very easy to mix them all up, they all virtually look and sound the same, including Di Abbott. There must be template out there. Blair.
But Ed has plenty to be modest about.
Stuart Mason's mum has got taste and sense. Burnham's the man to pull Britain through these difficult tmes.

Wed, 2010-08-18 20:59 — Chris Brock (not verified)

David is not arrogant at all. I have been to quite a few hustings and been impressed with his knowledge,intellect and communication skills. Being confident in his abilities and knowing he can use them to make a difference is not the same as being arrogant. Meeting him was a pleasure too as he is warm, approachable and witty. The perceptions of similarities with Tony Blair are way out. Divid'd grin is genuine.

Wed, 2010-08-18 21:11 — Chris (not verified)

David Miliband and his Bliarite cronies spent the last couple of years plotting against and back stabbing Gordon Brown. I will never forgive them for that, they are pretty low characters. DM now tries to portray himself as saviour of the party when it was his backroom schemes with his appalling friend Mandelson (and the Tory stooge Milburn etc)who contributed to our downfall. They are self serving and not to be trusted.

Wed, 2010-08-18 21:23 — Kerri Prince (not verified)

Its amazing how often arrogance and confidence are mixed up. What do we want: a leader who can readily defend himself, his party and his policies, or someone as quiet as a mouse, constantly apologising and letting Cameron walk all over them? And if you pick the latter, then don't be surpised when Labour doesn't come into power.

I am voting David Miliband because he's the future. A PM I trust will bring Labour back to power and capture the support we lost.

Wed, 2010-08-18 21:43 — Liza Harding

Ha! You're just jealous you'll never get David Miliband hugs like the ordinary public do! Arrogant - my ar*e, bet you've never even met the guy, like we all have! He's a gentleman and has complete respect for anyone.
With a brain constantly ticking away the size of his - I don't care if he doesn't look emotional when he's being serious as long as he gets his point across with confidence, conviction and competence - exactly what Cameron, Clegg and the rest of the Cons don't want in a Labour Leader!
We need a strong leader and David Miliband is just that, not wishy-washy Ed! The first hurdle is to bring the coalition down and lead us to victory - let's not forget this.
What's the point of a Labour Party that's going to simply oppose the Government for the next goodness knows how many years!
David has the whole package required, and is feared by the opposition - what more can you ask for!

Wed, 2010-08-18 22:18 — krazykol87

@Clem the Gem - that's exactly what I was thinking and am going to do - I'm voting for Diane 1st and then EdMil 2nd. I think EdMil will be the best one to win the 1.5million ex-Labour voters who fled to the Lib Dems (only 1mil voted for the Tories). I like the fact that Ed Miliband can laugh at himself - says a lot about a person, I always think!

Wed, 2010-08-18 22:22 — krazykol87

I think David Miliband's staff (the ones getting paid with the £400,000 blood money from the Blairites in the business world) have infected the New Statesman - money perhaps does speak loudly.

I hope David Miliband will come out clean after the torture review for his own sake!

Wed, 2010-08-18 23:48 — Liza Harding

I am a volunteer - as in I don't get paid any monies raised - the only thing I've taken from the pot is my Movement For Change training which benefits my community.
People don't need money to believe and benefit from David Miliband!

Thu, 2010-08-19 01:28 — thinkov

I hope the grassroots trade unionists get Ed Milly in

David will do though

Thu, 2010-08-19 10:48 — David Wearing1

What concerns me about David Miliband is less his personality and more his apparent belief that the "fundamental principle" of sharing secrets with the US government overrides the fundamental principle that the British state should not be allowed to cover up its complicity in torture.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/10/binyam-mohamed-torture-mi5

I'm surprised so many Labour members seem prepared to overlook this. Is this man really qualified to stand up for your values?