Scottish independence: Ed Miliband's wife Justine Thornton hits the campaign trail alone
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Justine Thornton, the wife of Ed Miliband, will emerge from the shadows tomorrow when she campaigns against Scottish independence.
The environmental lawyer will tour Glasgow in the Labour Party’s referendum battlebus, meet ordinary people and go door-to-door canvassing in support of the Better Together campaign.
Tonight, Ms Thornton attended the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games with Mr Miliband. The significance of tomorrow's event is that she will be campaigning in her own right, meaning that the Labour leader will not accompany her.
A Labour source said that she wanted to campaign on the issue because “she feels strongly that the UK should stick together.” He added: “She won’t make a formal speech, but she will be out on the stump.”
Her intervention in the Scottish debate marks the start of a process which will put her increasingly in the public spotlight in the run-up to next May’s general election.
Ms Thornton has been reluctant to become a public figure. She is now ready to take on a more prominent role to boost Mr Miliband’s election prospects – but wants to do it in her own right rather than as a “politician’s wife.”
Friends describe her as independent-minded with strong views.
Labour politicians who have heard her speak at private functions describe her as a “brilliant speaker” who could be a “huge asset” to Labour. They believe her higher profile will help to tackle Mr Miliband’s image problem.
There is speculation that Ms Thornton will play a big role at the Labour conference in September. Sarah Brown, the wife of Prime Minister Gordon Brown, introduced him at Labour’s 2009 conference.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments