The Rest Is Politics: Leading 136. Ed Miliband: Farage, Starmer and The Fight for Net Zero (Part 2)
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May 29, 2025 Ed Miliband, former Leader of the Labour Party and current Shadow Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, discusses his recovery from the 2015 election defeat and his commitment to politics. He debates climate strategies and the road to achieving net zero, tackling perspectives from figures like Tony Blair and Nigel Farage. Ed also reflects on the challenges of maintaining authenticity in politics and balancing personal life with public responsibilities, while advocating for a more passionate approach to government responsibilities.
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Miliband's Post-Defeat Resolve
- Ed Miliband found the transition from leader to backbench MP challenging and mentally difficult after the 2015 defeat.
- Despite the pain, he was determined to continue contributing ideas and influence as an MP.
2015 Leadership Choice Framing
- The 2015 leadership contest was framed as a choice between a more left-wing or a more centrist version of Ed Miliband.
- The party ultimately chose the more left-wing option, Jeremy Corbyn.
New Labour Style Limited Personality
- Ed was constrained by the 1990s New Labour style of message discipline, which limited his authentic personality.
- This shaped public perception that he lacked personality during his leadership.