Ed: The Milibands and the Making of a Labour leader

by Mehdi Hasan

Ed Miliband is perhaps the least understood political leader of modern times. This book reveals where he has come from and where he is going. It charts his unique upbringing, against the backdrop of tragedy and with a prominent Marxist thinker for a father. Ed follows his coming of age at Oxford, his election to Parliament and asks whether the pressures of being Labour party leader are swaying him from deep personal and ideological convictions. But Ed's story cannot be fully understood outside the context of his struggle to emerge from the shadow of his elder brother, David. Ed followed David to the same college at Oxford, into Parliament and into the Cabinet before, at the eleventh hour, snatching away David's dream of the leadership. Ed Miliband's political hero is Robert Kennedy but, unlike the Kennedys, the Milibands fought to the bitter end, rather than supporting one another. Ed gets to the heart of the dramatic decision-making that led him to join that epic leadership battle and reveals the hidden truth behind the making of a Labour leader.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Biography, Collections, History

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Mehdi Raza Hasan is a British political journalist, broadcaster and author.

•  Ed: The Milibands and the Making of a Labour leader, with James Macintyre

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Reviews

[Ulrike · Rating 4 out of 5]

this shit is in fact genuinely shakespearean

[Jesse Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is still a book well worth reading in 2025 -- an not just because Ed is back in the cabinet, as one of the major policy drivers of the new Labour government. It's a really engaging, thoughtful, and well-researched portrait of Ed's life and education throughout his long apprenticeship in politics. You very much get a sense of how Miliband's mind works -- and why he remains so committed to a life in politics despite it having been so bruising at times. Coming out in 2012, this book didn't know what was yet to come -- the coalition endured, and the 2015 election was a disaster for Labour. So the "will he be PM?!" angle of the book is quite dated in that regard. But still a compelling read.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read, especially after also reading 'Cameron: Rise of the new Conservative'. It's full of fascinating stories and stuff, and is good at giving you the gist of Ed and all that. It seems a little uneven as his years in government are skipped over a bit - especially as cabinet minister. In contrast to the details in the Cameron book about his time advising Nigel Lawson on Black Wednesday.

The stuff on the leadership campaign is fascinating though too.

[The Contented · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a well-written book - and probably endlessly fascinating if you're into the subject, but if you only get round to finishing the book after the 2015 election. Well.

[David Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating insight into the "making" of Ed Miliband and the change of direction that his leadership may bring to the British Labour Party post Blair and Brown. This book is at its most interesting and dramatic when discussing the rivalry between Ed and his brother David in the contest to win the leadership. Will their relationship ever fully recover?

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this to get more insight into Miliband's background, and from that viewpoint it is a very useful read. It is not, however, a gripping book in itself, comparing unfavourably with (for example) the much more analytical biography of Gordon Brown by Steve Richards.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's really interesting to see how he came to be leader of the Labour party, and some good insights into his life, especially his relationship with David.

[Mirzə · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book, I would be really disappointed if British people don't elect him as the next Prime Minister.

[Maya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting and relatively easy to follow. Only, it was hard to remember all the names and positions of the people mentioned.