Ed Miliband today defended his leadership against disastrous polls and sniping, saying that he did not believe in being “continuity Labour”.
Pledging “big change” in his manifesto, he said the problems facing Britain were too big to play it safe.
He admitted he faced a “tough fight”, but vowed he would “defy the odds” and win the general election.
However, a major speech in London today was overshadowed by questions about his leadership, while a poll said up to 60 per cent of people think he is not up to the job of prime minister.
Addressing the IPPR think tank in east London, Mr Miliband insisted: “We can’t be continuity Labour.” He was repeatedly asked about recent polls, including the Evening Standard’s revelation that 49 per cent of people think he should be replaced. “I knew when I took this job on that we were going to have a tough fight, because we are trying to defy the historical odds,” he said.
He also sought to bury Labour’s image as a “party of welfare” by announcing that 18- to 21-year-olds will lose benefits if they lack skills. Children of wealthy parents would get no support.
A YouGov survey for Prospect magazine found Mr Miliband trailing David Cameron by 23 per cent to 33 per cent over who would be the best PM. However, 35 per cent said his elder brother David Miliband would be a better PM, with Mr Cameron on 23 per cent.
Former home secretary Alan Johnson told the New Statesman Mr Miliband was “not as able to connect [with people] as strongly” as David.
And Lord Mandelson said he needed a “convincing, vivid narrative”.
