Ed Miliband - a friend of young people?

It's strange for me to see the younger Miliband elevated to such dizzy heights since he first came to my attention on what was then Young People Now as a new MP heading up the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Affairs.

He was always friendly to the magazine, and in return we predicted a successful future for him - perhaps as a future youth minister.

Actually, then editor Steve Barrett claims he predicted Miliband's rise to leader - I can't find any written documentation for that, though, Steve. ;-)

But certainly Ed has always shown an interest in young people - his maiden speech in the Commons highlighted youth services and the needs of young people: "Many older people feel that young people do not show enough respect, but young people feel neglected by our society. If we can show them that we are listening and will respond to their needs, I am convinced that it will make an impact far beyond the immediate provision of youth services. That will be a priority for me as I try to serve my constituency in this House."

And the Votes at 16 campaigners will be happy that a supporter is now leading the opposition. In fact, in his first speech as party leader today Miliband called for the Labour Party to be "a vehicle that doesn't just attract thousands of young people but tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of young people who see us as their voice in British politics today."

It just remains to be seen what the young people think about that.