Politics

Sorry Zayn Malik, Ed Miliband is the king of Twitter

Priyanka SrivastavaMay 6, 2015 | 17:52 IST

With only a few hours left for British parliamentary polls, the politicians are leaving no stone unturned to finish the last minute campaign. Dubbed as one of the toughest polls in the history of the United Kingdom, the two main parties - Conservatives and Labour - have been facing a neck and neck fight.

As the election campaign enters its final phase and opinion polls point towards a hung Parliament, Prime Minister David Cameron, and Labour Party head and opposition leader Edward (Ed) Miliband give last minute touch ups to woo the voters.

While the warring leaders fight it out amidst the jarring election noise, the Twitter trends suggest a different kind of race between a politician and a pop singer.

The rise of Miliband, 45, on Twitter and YouTube has made him a major threat to pop sensation Zayn Malik. The former member of a pop boy band "One Direction" of Pakistani descent who, in a short span, acquired the stardom to get girls shrieking and cheering, has a new threat in the form of the Labour leader.

Just as Zayn, 22, who has mastered the art of sending a million teenage hearts aflutter, Miliband too has gone out of his way to entice young voters and women. The #Milifandom gets support from teenage girls, college goers and celebrities and has enhanced his "Mili-brand".

David Cameron and other front runners at the elections have already dismissed the euphoria around Miliband as a bubble. For it is convenient for them to believe that Twitter popularity is not an index to the number of votes cast on the polling day.

Let's look at the tricks that enhanced the "Milifandom".

1. The art of giving interviews: Miliband, took a major risk to reach out to the young and unlikely voters by giving an interview to comedian-campaigner Russell Brand for his YouTube channel The Trews. The interview was mocked by David Cameron, but to some extent, lured the voters. Towards the last round, Miliband appeared in another hit YouTube channel Sprinkle of Glitter, to talk about "Why we should vote" with the host Louise.

2. Selfies with ladies: The Miliband euphoria may not be equated with that of American President Barack Obama, but, his popularity amongst women cannot be undermined. The famous selfie when Miliband clicked with women at a hen do, spoke volumes.

3. The #Milifandom glory: A teenager Abby @twcuddleston created the #Milifandom to present Miliband as the brave, bold and sexy superhero. From photoshopped images of the Labour leader as Mad Men's Don Draper to Daniel Craig's Skyfall, it had everything.

4. Wannabe film star: Hollywood director Paul Greengrass was hired to create the movie "Ed Miliband: A Portrait", to give voters a close up on his profile. The recently released "Milibae: The Movie", narrates his "classic underdog story" as Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out a Hero" plays in the background.

5. Ruling the vine compilations: Miliband has delighted the audience by appearing in more than a dozen memes and vine compilations. "Ed Miliband Sexy Smile Vine" has motivated several followers to vote for Labour.

Whatever the outcome of the parliamentary elections will be on May 7, 2015, it seems Miliband has plan B ready.

Last updated: May 06, 2015 | 17:52
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