No Loss

Although he could do with paying attention to real votes, and to declared voting intentions rather than to glorified teenage popularity contests, Andrew Pierce writes:

No wonder David Miliband, the lost leader of the Labour Party, hasn’t the slightest interest just now in coming back to frontline politics to help his embattled little brother.

While Red Ed languishes behind David Cameron in the opinion polls — despite the economy teetering on the brink of a double-dip recession and public spending cuts triggering protest marches — his big brother has been busy feathering his own nest.

In the 15 months since he unexpectedly failed to win the leadership, he has amassed a small fortune of more than £400,000 from speeches, lectures and consultancy work.

The latest hefty paycheck for the former Foreign Secretary comes from Californian firm VantagePoint Clean Tech. The company’s website boasts: ‘The goal inherent in our search for clean technologies is very exciting: a delightfully diverse safe, healthy and just world, with clean air, water, soil and power — economically, equitably, ecologically enjoyed by all.’

Miliband knows all about the search for clean energy. He was once Environment Secretary in Tony Blair’s Cabinet — which is why VantagePoint is paying him the mighty sum of £23,210 a quarter, which adds up to an annual payment of £92,840.

Gordon Brown is the only MP who has earned more in the past year than Miliband.

But at least the former PM, who has grossed more than £500,000, is giving his money to charity. Miliband is keeping the lot and has even set up his own company to provide a tax-efficient vehicle for these substantial earnings.