Ed Miliband gets a mauling from Radio 2 callers as he attempts to revive his flagging leadership

By TIM SHIPMAN, DEPUTY POLITICAL EDITOR
Created: 11:27 EST, 6 January 2011

It seemed the perfect way for Ed Miliband to connect with the ‘squeezed middle’ – the voters he needs to win over to have any hope of becoming prime minister.

But when the Labour leader presented himself to the listeners of Radio 2 yesterday – Middle England’s favourite channel – the public bit back with a vengeance.

A phone-in on the Jeremy Vine show descended into farce as the leader of the opposition was condemned for his unconventional personal life and his ruthless destruction of his brother’s political career.

Caller after caller criticised his failure to marry, the fact that he was not initially registered as the father of his first child – and even his adenoidal voice.

Labour leader Ed Miliband on the campaign trail in Oldham this week

And, when one Labour supporter accused Mr Miliband of failing to show the necessary passion, he was forced to concede that he has been ‘on a journey’ since landing the job three months ago.

Mr Miliband was already under attack yesterday for penning an article claiming that Labour was not to blame for plunging Britain into a debt crisis.

But Radio 2 listener Sian Williams quickly phoned in to condemn his attitude.

She said: ‘I get really frustrated when I see you on TV night after night with your grawling voice’ – apparently a mix of groan and drawl – ‘slagging off our present government who are doing their utmost to keep this country on its feet.

‘Cuts have to be made. Most of the mess we’re in now was caused by your so called ten-year government.’ Then the calls got more personal. Darren, a former RAF serviceman, told Mr Miliband: ‘What chance do I stand as a person in the country if you’re quite happy to tread all over your brother to get to the top?’

Mr Miliband insisted the leadership struggle with his brother had been friendly and he would welcome David back on to Labour’s front bench.

But by now he was under siege, with only occasional musical interludes lightening the gloom.

David Cameron and Lord Heseltine with Peel Holdings bosses at the Wirral Waters development on Merseyside today

Kevin O’Neill from Birmingham asked: ‘Mr Miliband, how can we trust anybody who didn’t even put his name down as the father of his first child on the birth certificate?’

Labour’s embattled leader explained that he is now registered as the father of both his children after a ‘two for one’ deal when son Daniel was born late last year.

But that simply led to a call from Paul Henry who questioned Mr Miliband’s personal commitment.

WHAT THEY TOLD HIM...

I get really frustrated when I see you on TV night after night with your growling voice slagging off our government who are doing their utmost to keep this country on its feet.'

Sian Williams

'What chance do I stand as a person in the country if you’re quite happy to tread all over your brother to get to the top?'

Darren, ex RAF serviceman

'How can we trust anybody who didn’t even put his name down as the father of his first child on the birth certificate?’

Kevin O’Neill, Birmingham

'Why hasn’t he got married? Why hasn’t he committed his life to his partner?'

Paul Henry

'I was in tears when Kinnock lost. You’re not getting your messages across. And there’s no passion there, you’re so sort of laid back. You’re not fighting.'

Sandra, Somerset

Mr Miliband explained he had ‘absolutely committed his life to’ partner Justine Thornton and that they will marry.

Perhaps the most politically toxic exchange came when a Labour supporter called Sandra from Somerset accused him of lacking spirit.

She said: ‘I was in tears when Kinnock lost. I want to see passion and fire in the belly Ed. You’re not getting your messages across.And there’s no passion there you’re so sort of laid back. You’re not fighting, you’re not striking while the iron is hot.’

Mr Miliband responded: ‘I always take the advice Sandra and we will fight as hard as we can.’

But Mr Miliband was forced to admit that he had failed to explain to voters ‘who I am as a politician and as a person’ and fell back on the excuse that he had been in the job for only three months.

He said: ‘I know that as a politician and as a person I have a journey to go on and we as party have a journey to go on.’ To complete Mr Miliband’s misery, one caller even confused him with his brother, starting his question with: ‘Hello David, how are you?’

Matthew Hancock, Tory MP for West Suffolk, said: ‘Ed Miliband’s latest attempt at deficit denial fell apart by lunchtime .

‘He says he’s on a journey, but it’s a journey downhill.

‘It’s no wonder Labour supporters doubt whether he has enough fire in his belly.’