Ed Miliband in “sense of humour” shock

In politics the best way to keep a secret, it is said, is to make a speech in the House of Commons about it. The gag is only slightly unfair. Of course parliamentary debates are not reported to the same extent that they were in previous generations. But the point of the joke is slightly different. Sometimes, without almost anyone noticing, a conventional wisdom is formed at Westminster that shields people from the reality of the situation. There is no deliberate conspiracy. It’s just that the true story gets missed.

Last Thursday The Spectator magazine gave Ed Miliband an award for the best political speech of the year. His conference speech in Brighton, which announced the proposed energy bill freeze, was seen as making the political weather, and still causing the government trouble several weeks later. It was, in that overused phrase, a “game-changer”. He was a worthy winner.

But then something odd happened. Miliband was not there in person to collect his prize. Instead, he appeared in a short video clip by way of response. It was a brief, droll performance, self-deprecating, and nicely delivered.

Westminster correspondents are not treated to very many genuinely amusing speeches. Most of that laughter you hear at PMQs is forced. And when you read the lines back in Hansard you can see why. The majority of the quips are neither big nor clever, no matter how hard parliamentary thighs are slapped in apparent delight.

But the collective response to Miliband’s nice little clip was extraordinary. It is possible, I suppose, that a certain amount of drink had been taken. But this display of wit and personality appeared to take most of those present by complete surprise. “But…but…he’s normal!” seemed to be the collective view. “He can tell jokes…he doesn’t take himself too seriously…he’s got a sense of humour.” This clearly did not fit the generally accepted view of the leader of the Labour party. The video clip was supposed to be awkward and embarrassing. There would probably be a reference to predistribution in it. Everyone in the room knew the line to take on Ed Miliband – he was stiff and gauche and colourless.

You have to watch out when loyal friends of a boss or public figure say – “Oh, if only you got to see him in private like we do, you’d see a completely different side to him.” That is sometimes a cover for the truth that the individual concerned genuinely does not have a winning personality. Equally, you have to beware of being persuaded by the noisy support of a few committed people while ignoring the silent disdain being shown by others. Michael Foot used to return to Labour party headquarters during the 1983 election campaign heartened by the warm responses he received in crowded town halls round the country. Unfortunately for him and the party the millions watching the nine o’clock news (as it then was) were less convinced.

>Perhaps Ed Miliband partly has himself to blame for not being better appreciated by the public. I have argued here before that he needs to reveal more of the person that he truly is.  Now that a few scales have fallen from some Westminster correspondents’ eyes perhaps he has a better chance of being seen in a fairer light.

And that is something the Conservatives in particular must be nervous about. I was not at all surprised to read in Andrew Rawnsley’s Observer column yesterday that the Tories seem to be dragging their feet on agreeing terms for televised debates ahead of the 2015 general election. They remember last time, when the outbreak of Cleggmania killed some of the momentum the Tories were enjoying. Cameron will be worried that such a powerful platform for Miliband will allow him to build new levels of support. The prime minister will have to defend his record – his hiring decisions and his relationships – while some viewers will have low expectations of how Miliband will perform. And also, don’t forget, Dave just wasn’t very good at the whole thing last time around. The Tories will be pleased if a reason can be found not to have them again.

Here is the news: Ed has a sense of humour as well as an eye for detail, the country does not know him yet, but when they do they may be pleasantly surprised by what they find out.