#EdMiliband and Ruth First

In his Labour Party conference speech yesterday, Ed Miliband cited Ruth First as a major influence on his early political life. Patrick Wintour of the Guardian writes:

‘He offered insights into his childhood, reflecting on his shock at seeing his mother broken by the news that the

anti-apartheid campaigner Ruth First had been murdered. “I was angry. I knew that wasn’t the way the world was meant

to be. I knew I had a duty to something about it. It is this upbringing that has made me who I am. A person of faith, not a

religious faith, but a faith nonetheless, a faith I believe many religious people would recognise.” ‘

You can read a rolling commentary on the speech here, and browse the Ruth First Papers collection here.