32. Ed Miliband
The Thoughtful Reformer
Ed Miliband has long been one of the most fascinating figures in modern British politics: a leader, thinker, and reformer whose career has combined intellectual depth with a deep sense of public duty. Born in 1969 in London to parents who had fled war-torn Europe, Miliband grew up in a household shaped by politics, ideas, and resilience. That background instilled in him not only a belief in public service but also an enduring sense of justice and fairness.
Educated at Oxford and the London School of Economics, Miliband quickly established himself as a policy mind of unusual sharpness. He worked closely with Gordon Brown during the 1990s, helping to shape Labour’s economic policy in government. Elected as MP for Doncaster North in 2005, he soon entered the Cabinet, serving as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change from 2008 to 2010. In that role, he was widely praised for pushing forward ambitious climate legislation, securing the landmark Climate Change Act, and placing Britain at the forefront of international environmental leadership.
In 2010, Miliband was elected Leader of the Labour Party. His leadership coincided with one of the most challenging periods for Labour in modern history: rebuilding after defeat while navigating the austerity era. Though sometimes caricatured by opponents, his tenure was marked by serious ideas that would later shape the political landscape — from calling out energy price rises to championing inequality as a defining issue. Many of the debates Miliband ignited remain central to British politics today.
After stepping down as leader in 2015, Miliband returned to the backbenches, but far from retreating, he found new ways to engage with the public. His podcast Reasons to be Cheerful, co-hosted with Geoff Lloyd, revealed a lighter, warmer side of his personality and allowed him to explore big ideas — from climate policy to social innovation — in an accessible way. It won him a new audience and reminded people of his enduring passion for progressive change.
In 2020, Keir Starmer brought Miliband back to the Labour frontbench as Shadow Secretary of State for Climate Change and Net Zero. Once again, he became a leading voice on the defining issue of our age, pressing for bold, practical solutions to the climate crisis. His clarity of thought, combined with his long-standing credibility on green issues, reaffirmed his place as one of Labour’s most important figures.
What makes Ed Miliband especially compelling is his combination of intellect and humility. He is a serious politician, but never afraid to laugh at himself — a quality that has only deepened public affection for him over time. His career demonstrates that politics is not just about soundbites or short-term wins but about grappling with big challenges and trying to make a difference.
Ed Miliband’s legacy is already secure: as a leader who helped shift the national debate, as an advocate for fairness, and as one of the architects of Britain’s climate leadership. Thoughtful, principled, and quietly determined, he remains a figure who proves that politics can still be about ideas and hope.
