by Samuel Dale
Ed Miliband likes to remind us that he takes on vested interests.
Barely a speech goes by without mentioning how he took on Murdoch, the Daily Mail and the energy companies.
Hero Miliband standing up to the strong. Except it’s not true.
This isn’t strong leadership, it’s populism masquerading as strength.
Look at the crass and ridiculous attack on ex-Labour minister Lord Freud for his comments on helping disabled people find work below the minimum wage.
Or the pathetic Harriet Harman stunt, sanctioned by Miliband, to wear a ‘This is what a feminist looks like’ T-shirt at PMQs.
No wonder Britain doesn’t see Miliband as prime ministerial because these are not the actions of a man who is an aspiring national leader.
The latest polling puts his leadership ratings as lower than even Nick Clegg, Mr Tuition Fees.
Has there been any area where Miliband has actually led his party or the public?
The energy price freeze was clever politics but it was heavily polled and known to be popular.
It was a classic of the Miliband genre: followship not leadership.
His clear electoral strategy of left wing populism and a so-called 35 per cent strategy is despicable.
It’s laughable to call himself One Nation Labour. And such cynicism is deservedly backfiring with votes being haemorrhaged to the Greens, Ukip and the SNP.
But there is one issue crying out for real national leadership and alternative positive politics: immigration.
The rise of Ukip and capitulation of the Tories has led to toxic nasty rhetoric on immigration and the EU.
It is turning off global businesses and threatening the UK’s international reputation for openness.
