Ed Miliband does Grazia – on David, Cuts, his priorities as Prime Minister and being a “geek”

Ed Miliband has done an interview with Grazia Magazine (available in all good newsagents), which covers his personal life as well as his politics. We’ve picked out some of the best quotes from the piece below.

Ed on David Miliband:

“It was tough at the time particularly because it was such a close result, but both of us have got over it. David is very supportive of me, we talk a lot, he’s an asset to our party and our relationship is good.”

Ed on the economy, austerity and the government

“I’m not promising that it’s going to be easy,” he says. “Yes, it’s tough. But in 1945, people didn’t say, ‘I’m sorry, we’ve just had the war, there’s really not anything we can do, it’s basically going to be 20 years of everything being grim and that’s just the way it is.’ They said, ‘Let’s build the National Health Service! Let’s have homes fit for heroes!’ I think this government is too pessimistic about what we can achieve.”

Ed on his priorities for government

“Tax the bankers’ bonuses and use the money to put young people back to work. That has got to be right for the country.” Labour would continue relief of stamp duty for first-time buyers and with the proceeds from the sale of the 4G Spectrum build 100,000 affordable homes.

Ed on being Prime Minister

“One of the things Justine often says is, ‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.’ I think that’s totally right. Let’s think about what we could do when we are in power, but don’t start measuring for curtains. That’s not my style. Take each step as it comes. It’s not about having your photo on the wall, it’s about changing the country.”

Ed on being proud to be a “geek”

“Proud? I’m not sure. Sort of accepting. Look, one thing is, you don’t try and pretend to be something you’re not.”