New Times,
New Thinking.

  1. Politics
30 June 2011

Ed Miliband tongue-tied on strikes

Awkward Ed gave a less than stellar appearance on the BBC when discussing today's strikes this morni

By Duncan Robinson

Ed Miliband thinks today’s strikes are wrong. I know this because he said so repeatedly during an interview with the BBC this morning. No matter what question the interviewer asked, Miliband began his answer with: “These strikes are wrong.” He doesn’t seem to have just learnt his brief, he appears to have swallowed it whole. His first answer is delivered with all the spontaneity of a six-year-old in a school play. Had he been asked his favourite colour or whether he is enjoying married life, his response would have been a monotonous: “These strikes are wrong.” Watch it below.

 

It’s not quite up there with Michael Howard’s appearance on Newsnight back in 1997, but it’s another worrying example of Miliband flunking in front of a camera. Tony Blair shone on screen, and so does David Cameron. Miliband, however, still looks awkward. He has been leader for almost a year. He needs to sharpen his TV game.

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

Content from our partners
The UK’s skills shortfall is undermining growth
<strong>What kind of tax reforms would stimulate growth?</strong>
How to end the poverty premium