Justine Thornton expects attacks on Miliband to get worse in election run-up

Justine Thornton, Ed Miliband’s wife, has given her first proper interview on politics, the coming election, and life with the Labour leader. She talks about Miliband’s relationship with their children (who understand politics through the prism of “who the Red Team are helping”), Ed’s reaction to the phonehacking scandal, and the portrayal of her husband in the media.

The successful barrister, who has so far been publicity shy (she says she only gave a speech at Labour conference to show she was “more than a dress”), it is interesting that she has chosen to do this interview with the BBC, especially given some of the treatment of Miliband. On that topic, she says:

“I think it’s going to get worse. I think over the next couple of months it’s going to get really vicious, really purpose. But I’m really up for this fight, and I’ve thought about the reason why.

“And the reason is because I think this goes way beyond Ed as individual; I think it’s about whether decency and principles count for something in political life, wherever you are on the political spectrum.

“It’s not just about Ed, it’s about every politician who tries to do the right thing despite personal attacks. And I think that it’s very important that political life in this country stays open to decent, principled people. So if you ask me why I’m up for a fight: I’m fighting for a principle of decency in public life.”

You can see a section of the interview below: