This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/mar/31/david-miliband-new-york-society

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
British power elite will give David Miliband an edge in New York British power elite will give David Miliband an edge in New York
(6 months later)
As places of self-imposed exile go, the glittering, wealthy and uber-fashionable island of Manhattan hardly ranks as a hardship posting.As places of self-imposed exile go, the glittering, wealthy and uber-fashionable island of Manhattan hardly ranks as a hardship posting.
But when Labour heavyweight and ex-foreign secretary David Miliband arrives in New York to take up his new job as head of a major world aid organisation he is likely to encounter something that might come as a shock: hardly anyone will know who he is.But when Labour heavyweight and ex-foreign secretary David Miliband arrives in New York to take up his new job as head of a major world aid organisation he is likely to encounter something that might come as a shock: hardly anyone will know who he is.
New York is a notoriously fickle town whose society has velvet ropes – both physical ones at its hot night spots and invisible social ones walling off its rich elites. Even a figure as well-known in Britain as Miliband will have trouble getting the natives to notice him.New York is a notoriously fickle town whose society has velvet ropes – both physical ones at its hot night spots and invisible social ones walling off its rich elites. Even a figure as well-known in Britain as Miliband will have trouble getting the natives to notice him.
"Obviously, no American knows who David Miliband is or has any interest in David Miliband," said Michael Wolff, a Vanity Fair media writer and acerbic chronicler of the ups and downs of many of New York's major figures."Obviously, no American knows who David Miliband is or has any interest in David Miliband," said Michael Wolff, a Vanity Fair media writer and acerbic chronicler of the ups and downs of many of New York's major figures.
Others were even more brutal at the prospect of Miliband's arrival in New York where he will join a long list of British exiles such as Tony Blair who have found permanent or temporary homes in America after their careers in the UK took a turn for the worst. "Outside Washington and New York, 99% of Americans have never heard of him," said Nile Gardiner, a Briton who heads up a thinktank at the Heritage Foundation.Others were even more brutal at the prospect of Miliband's arrival in New York where he will join a long list of British exiles such as Tony Blair who have found permanent or temporary homes in America after their careers in the UK took a turn for the worst. "Outside Washington and New York, 99% of Americans have never heard of him," said Nile Gardiner, a Briton who heads up a thinktank at the Heritage Foundation.
But not all is lost. In New York, Miliband will have a small but powerful group of people who will know exactly who he is and will welcome him with open arms: the coterie of fellow Brits who have come to hold top jobs in America's media. They include the former BBC director general Mark Thompson who is now chief executive of the New York Times – the most powerful media institution in America. Daily Beast editor Tina Brown is also on the list. Her sure touch for what's hot and trendy in New York may have faded, but her contacts list is still packed full of Manhattan's movers and shakers.But not all is lost. In New York, Miliband will have a small but powerful group of people who will know exactly who he is and will welcome him with open arms: the coterie of fellow Brits who have come to hold top jobs in America's media. They include the former BBC director general Mark Thompson who is now chief executive of the New York Times – the most powerful media institution in America. Daily Beast editor Tina Brown is also on the list. Her sure touch for what's hot and trendy in New York may have faded, but her contacts list is still packed full of Manhattan's movers and shakers.
Even Piers Morgan, the former Daily Mirror editor-turned-CNN host, is likely to want to meet up. "I would bet Mark Thompson is already planning a little dinner party for the Milibands as we speak and also that Tina Brown is all aflutter," said Wolff.Even Piers Morgan, the former Daily Mirror editor-turned-CNN host, is likely to want to meet up. "I would bet Mark Thompson is already planning a little dinner party for the Milibands as we speak and also that Tina Brown is all aflutter," said Wolff.
Miliband also has a very unusual head start when it comes to mixing with the rarefied elites of American society. During his time as foreign secretary, Miliband met and wooed many world leaders including those who work or regularly visit the United Nations headquarters. The UN building will just be a short stroll – or an even quicker drive in a limo – from Miliband's new International Rescue Committee office near Grand Central station. The neighbourhood is also packed with bars and restaurants kept afloat by the generous expense accounts deployed by legions of foreign diplomats, aid worker chiefs and visiting heads of state. Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan, and former US secretaries of state, Colin Powell, Henry Kissinger, Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice all act as IRC advisers.Miliband also has a very unusual head start when it comes to mixing with the rarefied elites of American society. During his time as foreign secretary, Miliband met and wooed many world leaders including those who work or regularly visit the United Nations headquarters. The UN building will just be a short stroll – or an even quicker drive in a limo – from Miliband's new International Rescue Committee office near Grand Central station. The neighbourhood is also packed with bars and restaurants kept afloat by the generous expense accounts deployed by legions of foreign diplomats, aid worker chiefs and visiting heads of state. Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan, and former US secretaries of state, Colin Powell, Henry Kissinger, Madeleine Albright and Condoleezza Rice all act as IRC advisers.
Miliband also has an ace up his sleeve in the form of his friendship with former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton. Clinton, who is widely expected to run for president in 2016, once described Miliband to a Vogue interviewer as "vibrant, vital, attractive and smart" and admitted to understanding why people might have a crush on him.Miliband also has an ace up his sleeve in the form of his friendship with former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton. Clinton, who is widely expected to run for president in 2016, once described Miliband to a Vogue interviewer as "vibrant, vital, attractive and smart" and admitted to understanding why people might have a crush on him.
Clinton and her husband Bill are still the ultimate power players in American politics with a firm grip on the Democratic establishment. As he begins a new life, the Labour star could hardly have hoped for a warmer or more prestigious endorsement from them last week, when Bill applauded his appointment, saying: "I congratulate the IRC on the appointment of David Miliband as its president. I have known David almost 20 years. He is one of the ablest, most creative public servants of our time." Miliband will no doubt be keen – and careful – to cultivate that relationship, and will also want to get know Michael Bloomberg, the three-times city mayor.Clinton and her husband Bill are still the ultimate power players in American politics with a firm grip on the Democratic establishment. As he begins a new life, the Labour star could hardly have hoped for a warmer or more prestigious endorsement from them last week, when Bill applauded his appointment, saying: "I congratulate the IRC on the appointment of David Miliband as its president. I have known David almost 20 years. He is one of the ablest, most creative public servants of our time." Miliband will no doubt be keen – and careful – to cultivate that relationship, and will also want to get know Michael Bloomberg, the three-times city mayor.
But as Miliband starts to lunch at media hotspots such as Michael's or take light night drinks in The Monkey Bar or the Waverly Inn, he might also want to keep one eye on the job. His new post as president and chief executive will give him a hefty wage, help with finding a spacious (for Manhattan) apartment and no doubt allow him to buy his new and old friends some nice lunches and dinners. But it has also caused a stir in the aid community that is not entirely positive. Politicians who cross into the aid world can have a bad reputation with career aid workers as they are seen as mixing two worlds that should not mingle: the pursuit of national interest with the aim of providing relief to anyone who needs it.But as Miliband starts to lunch at media hotspots such as Michael's or take light night drinks in The Monkey Bar or the Waverly Inn, he might also want to keep one eye on the job. His new post as president and chief executive will give him a hefty wage, help with finding a spacious (for Manhattan) apartment and no doubt allow him to buy his new and old friends some nice lunches and dinners. But it has also caused a stir in the aid community that is not entirely positive. Politicians who cross into the aid world can have a bad reputation with career aid workers as they are seen as mixing two worlds that should not mingle: the pursuit of national interest with the aim of providing relief to anyone who needs it.
Michiel Hofman, a senior figure at Médecins Sans Frontières, has already slammed Miliband's appointment, saying that it would make dealing with some groups – such as the Taliban – much more difficult because they would see aid workers as being tied to western powers. "Assertions by humanitarian organisations that they are fully independent and have no hidden political agenda slowly wither away," he said.Michiel Hofman, a senior figure at Médecins Sans Frontières, has already slammed Miliband's appointment, saying that it would make dealing with some groups – such as the Taliban – much more difficult because they would see aid workers as being tied to western powers. "Assertions by humanitarian organisations that they are fully independent and have no hidden political agenda slowly wither away," he said.
That view was echoed by some aid workers in New York who also pointed out that ex-politicians do not always fit into their culture. "Humanitarians can be quite snobbish. It is hard to establish credibility without having got your hands dirty in the field," said one senior New York-based aid official.That view was echoed by some aid workers in New York who also pointed out that ex-politicians do not always fit into their culture. "Humanitarians can be quite snobbish. It is hard to establish credibility without having got your hands dirty in the field," said one senior New York-based aid official.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.