During the run-up to the 2015 general election, Fallon wrote an article in "The Times" saying that Ed Miliband had stabbed his brother David Miliband in the back to become Labour leader and he would also stab Britain in the back to become prime minister. Fallon subsequently declined the opportunity to describe Miliband as a decent person and his comments embarrassed some Conservative supporters. Miliband gave a response, saying that Fallon had fallen below his usual standards and demeaned himself, which the "New Statesman" asserted was dignified, contrasting with Fallon's counter-productive personal attack.