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Is Ed Miliband living through his own episode of the Thick of It?

True to form of life imitating art, this week’s episode of Armando Iannucci’s ‘The Thick of It’ featured a government policy of ending breakfast clubs in schools. Just hours after the episode went out on Saturday night, the Sunday papers reported that the real government was mooting the very same idea. While the government remains the main target of the show – and we can all recognise a little bit of Roger Allam’s brilliant Peter Mannion in various Tory ministers – should Ed Miliband be worried about the new series?

The simple answer is yes, the easy answer is no. It’s just satire, right? Obviously Ed is landing far more blows than the hapless Nicola Murray, who we hear only achieved the dizzy heights of leader of the Labour Party thanks to the unions. She also struggles to find a voice and barely surviving a stream of awkward public engagements. Remind you of anyone?

By focusing on the upper echelons of a party for the first time, rather than the view from the mythical siberian Department of Social Affairs and Citizenship, ‘The Thick of It’ has a new scope for undermining the public’s view of politicians.

Steerpike
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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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