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I can't think of another instance of two siblings being in senior positions in a political party at the same time before, but all this carry on with the Mili's recently proves that it is not possible to feasibly have two - especially if one becomes leader.

Basically the other has to leave front line politics, like David has done this week - because of the constant comparisons, the prospect that if the junior sibling has promise and was also tipped for the top then there will always be pundits saying he might take on his brother, might stand against him, might be sulking over the sibling getting they job that one wanted, and so on. Basically David's career in frontline politics ended because Ed's advanced, and David will have to wait for many years, presumably if and until Ed decides to leave politics, to re-emerge.

The last time I can think of a front line politican vanishing like this, when everyone viewed that person as being someone with years ahead of them as a senior figure, was when Michael Portillo left politics in 1997 - and that was because he lost his seat. David Miliband could have theoretically stayed on and advanced, but of course couldn't and didn't because of the reasons I've outlined. Politics is a funny thing.

I personally think David should have won. He has a certain cache about him, and has the vibe of a leader. They would have stood a greater chance of winning the next election with him at the helm. Who else agrees? And have you noticed how this has all got a lot more coverage in the last week or two than anything the government has been doing? It is almost like the Labour party are still the government.

David was my choice and has been since Blair resigned. I think the Tories are reasonably happy with Ed at the helm on t'other side of the house. Nearly everyone I've spoken to seem underwhelmed at Ed's victory.

I suppose we'll just have to wait and see. He could prove us all wrong. He's only just took the job, after all.

George and Jeb Bush, their situation is very similar because the Republican Party all saw Jeb as the more serious politician.

...a senior politician who's an atheist.

Ed Miliband's bug eyed, he reminds me of Marty Feldman, and his adenoidal voice really gets on my nerves. Is it too much trouble for him to blow his nose?

Clegg and David Milliband are atheists.

Wait years for one and then two come along at once. Hope it catches on.

My guess is we've probably had atheist senior politicians before. It's just that now it's not such a big deal and they're not frightened to 'come out'.

"Clegg and David Milliband are atheists."

Certainly hasn't stopped Cleggie being sanctimonious.

"Who would guess, listening to him prattling piously about MPs' expenses, that he was a maximum claimer? Or that six months ago, when it seemed to be the flavour of the hour, he was demanding 'bold and savage cuts' in public spending, a subject on which he is now silent. Or that this is a man who is capable of arguing with equal passion for or against retaining Trident nuclear missiles? "

Ex Labour MP Chris Mullin on Nick Clegg in April 2010 prior to yet another Damascene conversion (one of many), this time on the timing of cuts.

Cheers
D

Oh, I forgot that any mention of Clegg has your ears prick up and start you yapping & jumping at the door, like a fucking slumbering mut that's heard the postman walk through the front gate.

Back in your basket!