Ed Miliband: I¿m no sex symbol and I prefer baggy jumpers to smart suits

By
Kirsty Walker

Last updated at 1:14 AM on 2nd January 2012

His geeky image has done him few favours as he tries to win over the British public.

But Ed Miliband appears to have resigned himself to being ‘uncool’ – and even revealed how  he longs to ditch his smart suits and re-embrace the ugly jumpers and big glasses of his youth.

In an interview, the Labour leader conceded he is not a ‘sexy bloke’ and that his wife Justine bans him from wearing certain outfits.

Ed Miliband at Oxford in 1989

Ed Miliband this year

‘Uncool’: Ed Miliband at Oxford in 1989 and right last year. The Labour leader says he has resigned himself to being ‘uncool’

The 42-year-old said he was more interested in politics than his own image, but rejects criticism from an opinion poll that the public view him as ‘weird’.

He also said tensions between him and brother David remain after their battle for the Labour leadership more than 15 months ago, but insisted he did not have any regrets.

He told the Mail on Sunday’s Live magazine that he only got drunk once as a student, saying: ‘Some people’s awakening at university is drink or drugs – mine was about politics. 

‘I used to wear big glasses and nasty jumpers. I had to get rid of them. There are times I wish I could just wear them again and not have to worry about collars and stuff. Life would be much more simple.

'I don't think I'm awkward. I go round the country and I talk to people and (being weird) is never what anyone says,' said Ed Miliband

‘I don’t think I’m awkward. I go round the country and I talk to people and (being weird) is never what anyone says,’ said Ed Miliband

After two children and years of advocating not getting married, Ed married Justine in May. 'I said we'd get married at a time that was right for us. We thought it was the right time,' he said

After two children and years of advocating not getting married, Ed married Justine in May

‘I definitely wouldn’t consider myself a sexy bloke. I was a late developer, it is fair to say.’

He went on to recall driving to a school disco as an 18-year-old in his parents’ Volvo wearing white trousers and a purple jumper.

He said: ‘I thought it was really cool to be driving the Volvo. It was a bit lame, actually.’

He said he has held out hope his relationship with his 46-year-old brother, a former Foreign Secretary, would improve with time, and that the problems had been especially painful for their mother Marion.

‘It’s still tough but it’s getting easier,’ he said. ‘I don’t regret standing against him. The alternative was to say one of us is not going to stand or to make a deal. I don’t think that would have been the right thing to do.’

Asked how he would feel if such a situation ever arose between his sons Daniel, two, and newborn Samuel, he replied: ‘They are not going into politics.’

Mr Miliband has faced recent criticism from his MPs over weak performances in the Commons and poor opinion polls.’

I don’t think I’m awkward,’ he said. ‘I think my worst habit is excessive seriousness.’

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