"I come from a generation that suffered school lessons in portacabins and crumbling hospitals. I tell you one thing, for the eighteen years they were in power the Tories did nothing to fix the roof when the sun was shining"
- Ed Miliband
About this Quote
In this quote, Ed Miliband is expressing his aggravation with the previous federal government, which was led by the Conservative celebration. He is highlighting the bad conditions that he and his generation needed to endure throughout their time in school, with lessons occurring in momentary portacabins and medical facilities that were breaking down. Miliband then makes a scathing remark about the Tories, specifying that throughout their 18 years in power, they not did anything to resolve these concerns and enhance the situation. The phrase "fix the roof when the sun was shining" is a metaphor for acting and making required repair work throughout a time of success, rather than waiting on a crisis to happen. Miliband's declaration suggests that the Tories overlooked their obligations and failed to focus on the well-being of the more youthful generation.