When Ed Miliband entered the contest for the leadership of the Labour party against his older brother David, journalists were writing about ‘sibling rivalry’ and wondering how the brothers’ relationship would be affected by the competition.
All siblings, even those who get on well, will feel rivalry at times. The Miliband brothers will be no different. Both men are bright, ambitious and successful. However David, as the elder, will probably have become accustomed to the role of celebrated brother who was more senior in the government. Ed Miliband’s entrance into the leadership contest would have confronted the assumption that David was naturally the ‘top dog’.
Ed’s successful bid will be challenging for the altered family dynamics. When Ed’s win was announced, it was interesting that the angry tears came from David Miliband’s wife. It is clearly easier and safer for David’s wife to express the furious disappointment that would understandably be present.
David Miliband is deeply ambitious and now he has seen his younger brother overtake him in the political arena. We saw how damaging it was to the Blair/Brown friendship when Tony Blair, who was the junior in the relationship, became leader of the party and then prime minister. Both men became diminished by the bitter rivalry. It is wise for David Miliband to step aside and let his brother come into his own. He is clever and able enough to find another role where he can shine, and healthy family dynamics can adapt to new realities.
Photograph © WENN.com
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