Ed Miliband receives teenage support as ‘Milifandom’ trends on Twitter

Ed Miliband might not look like the archetypal teenage heart-throb, but try telling that to the infatuated young girls behind Twitter’s latest sensation – the #milifandom.

Fandoms are usually reserved for the realm of pop culture, whether it’s for TV shows like Doctor Who and The Walking Dead or celebrities like Benedict Cumberbatch and One Direction.

However, the Labour leader’s Milifandom is gathering pace on Twitter, trending for much of the last 24 hours.

The self-appointed leader of the Milifandom – AS Level student Abby – has nearly 15,000 Twitter followers and even received a response from the man himself.

@twcuddleston It’s good to hear young people who care about politics speaking up for the things they believe in.

— Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) April 22, 2015

It’s unclear how many of the Milifandom’s devoted followers are taking part in the campaign ironically, but many seem to have genuine admiration for the Labour leader, who is currently riding high in the polls.

In the wake of Joey Essex interviewing political figures, the Milifandom is another example of young people showing their interest and engagement in politics.

The #milifandom is a perfect example of the way young people can interact with politics, don’t mock that because you dont understand it

— Claire Boniface (@claireboniface) April 21, 2015

A fandom centered around David Cameron – #Cameronettes – has been started in response to Milifandom’s success, but is receiving considerably more ridicule than traction as a result of its suspiciously non-teenage voice.

Anyone know what Grant Shapps is up to today?

PLEASE STOP ALL THE HATE. IM 13 IM NOT DAVID CAMERON OR ANY OTHER POLITIC PERSON. OKAY? #milifandom #cameronettes

— David Cameron Fandom (@Cameronettes) April 22, 2015