Broadcast guru becomes Ed Miliband’s first out adviser
Ed Miliband has appointed an openly gay broadcaster to his shadow adviser team.
The Labour leader appointed television producer Matthew Laza as his new Head of Broadcasting, to help work on his TV presence and public image.
Mr Laza is the first openly LGBT person to be appointed to Mr Miliband’s advisory team, although out strategy consultant Spencer Livermore is the Labour Party’s General Election Campaign Director.
The broadcast guru has previously worked as a documentary maker, in addition to stints on The One Show and The Politics Show.
By coincidence, Mr Laza was appointed to the same role as Prime Minister David Cameron’s Head of Broadcasting Michael Salter, who is also gay.
Mr Salter worked for David Cameron in opposition, and entered 10 Downing Street with the Tory leader back in 2010.
One Labour insider said: “Matthew brings a wealth of broadcast knowledge to the Labour leader’s operation as well as a first class political brain.”
A Labour spokesperson said: “We’ve taken a lot of care with getting the right person and he’s the right man for the job in terms of having all the qualities we’re looking for.
“He has excellent experience in broadcasting and an eye for broadcaster’s needs, and we think he’ll make a big difference.”
