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Ed Miliband is definitely Not Tony Blair. But who's he trying to impress? Ed Miliband is definitely Not Tony Blair. But who's he trying to impress?
(5 months later)
Does Ed Miliband's face fit the job of prime minister any better today than it did when he was first elected leader of the Labour party? Recent public appearances such as his dignified bearing at Margaret Thatcher's funeral, praised by Tories, may have made him look like a comfortable member of the ruling elite, but those jokes about his appearance and self-presentation don't go away.Does Ed Miliband's face fit the job of prime minister any better today than it did when he was first elected leader of the Labour party? Recent public appearances such as his dignified bearing at Margaret Thatcher's funeral, praised by Tories, may have made him look like a comfortable member of the ruling elite, but those jokes about his appearance and self-presentation don't go away.
Entire websites exist to collect awkward-looking images of Miliband. His campaign tours are dogged by reports of his clumsiness.Entire websites exist to collect awkward-looking images of Miliband. His campaign tours are dogged by reports of his clumsiness.
To talk like this about a Labour leader is to speak the language of the enemy. Who is behind those Miliband joke sites anyway? Disinterested members of the public? Clearly, a basic part of the Conservative campaign at the next election will be to contrast David Cameron's Etonian confidence with Miliband's supposedly geekish persona. The success or failure of such a strategy is likely to depend on the state or at least the perceived prospects for the economy. But refusing to worry about Miliband's ability to appeal to the sections of the British public who mourn Thatcherism is just another symptom of Labour retreating into a fantasy world in which, as Tony Benn was long ago mocked for saying, the ishoos matter, not the personalities.To talk like this about a Labour leader is to speak the language of the enemy. Who is behind those Miliband joke sites anyway? Disinterested members of the public? Clearly, a basic part of the Conservative campaign at the next election will be to contrast David Cameron's Etonian confidence with Miliband's supposedly geekish persona. The success or failure of such a strategy is likely to depend on the state or at least the perceived prospects for the economy. But refusing to worry about Miliband's ability to appeal to the sections of the British public who mourn Thatcherism is just another symptom of Labour retreating into a fantasy world in which, as Tony Benn was long ago mocked for saying, the ishoos matter, not the personalities.
Yet if Miliband projected a clear voice on the ishoos, his image might cease to matter. Instead he deliberately avoids clear policy stances. Labour seems ready to drift rightwards on such a fundamental topic as immigration, while allowing itself to be perceived as over-friendly with the hard left. Miliband even met George Galloway, then tried to make it good by issuing a formal insult. And where is the substance to back up the rhetoric of one nation that sounded so good to some people in his acclaimed party conference speech last autumn?Yet if Miliband projected a clear voice on the ishoos, his image might cease to matter. Instead he deliberately avoids clear policy stances. Labour seems ready to drift rightwards on such a fundamental topic as immigration, while allowing itself to be perceived as over-friendly with the hard left. Miliband even met George Galloway, then tried to make it good by issuing a formal insult. And where is the substance to back up the rhetoric of one nation that sounded so good to some people in his acclaimed party conference speech last autumn?
It is not Miliband's detractors, haters and enemies who are making an issue of his personality or image – it is Miliband himself. Far from opposing the Conservatives with a nuts and bolts economic critique, he is a pure personality politician. Unfortunately for Labour, the type of personality he projects is not intended to woo "middle England". (The very thought of it …) No: Miliband's world is smaller. Amazingly, he works hard at presenting an image – but it is an image designed to please his own movement. Miliband has constructed an image as a man who spurns New Labour, whose heart is with the workers and their unions, who is no friend to bankers and no enemy to the poor. It is a wonderfully attractive face to present to many in the Labour party and among its well-wishers who crave a bit of red in their flagbearer. Although in reality, Miliband remains as mildly centrist as any contemporary British politician, he has tailored his image to please people who long for the old left to come back. His awkwardness and geekishness help with this. How like dear old Michael Foot he is at times.It is not Miliband's detractors, haters and enemies who are making an issue of his personality or image – it is Miliband himself. Far from opposing the Conservatives with a nuts and bolts economic critique, he is a pure personality politician. Unfortunately for Labour, the type of personality he projects is not intended to woo "middle England". (The very thought of it …) No: Miliband's world is smaller. Amazingly, he works hard at presenting an image – but it is an image designed to please his own movement. Miliband has constructed an image as a man who spurns New Labour, whose heart is with the workers and their unions, who is no friend to bankers and no enemy to the poor. It is a wonderfully attractive face to present to many in the Labour party and among its well-wishers who crave a bit of red in their flagbearer. Although in reality, Miliband remains as mildly centrist as any contemporary British politician, he has tailored his image to please people who long for the old left to come back. His awkwardness and geekishness help with this. How like dear old Michael Foot he is at times.
But none of Miliband's posturing to please the left means anything at all to the wider electorate that voted New Labour into power three times. While Tories celebrate their three-term leader of yore, Labour denies its far more recent years of triumph. Miliband is rewarded by supporters simply for being Not New Labour. Lack of smoothness helps suggest that.But none of Miliband's posturing to please the left means anything at all to the wider electorate that voted New Labour into power three times. While Tories celebrate their three-term leader of yore, Labour denies its far more recent years of triumph. Miliband is rewarded by supporters simply for being Not New Labour. Lack of smoothness helps suggest that.
The very face and mannerisms that help him to be Not Tony Blair by definition fail to mean much to voters who think Aneurin Bevan is a Swedish centre forward. Miliband's persona makes sense within the history of the Labour movement. Outside it, he is communicating less and less.The very face and mannerisms that help him to be Not Tony Blair by definition fail to mean much to voters who think Aneurin Bevan is a Swedish centre forward. Miliband's persona makes sense within the history of the Labour movement. Outside it, he is communicating less and less.
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