A Man to Watch; A Fresh-Faced member of the cabinet might just be a future P.M.(Cover story)

Byline: William Underhill

He's the only member of the British cabinet with enough 21st-century savvy to post a blog. His good humor and optimism attract almost as much praise as his brainpower. And in the snake pit of Labour Party politics, he's a rarity--a loyal protege of Tony Blair who's somehow stayed on good terms with his impatient successor-in-waiting, Gordon Brown.

Just 41, David Miliband is one of the youngest ministers in government. Yet insiders tip him as the party's next-leader-but-one. Some go further still. Despite a dazzling political rise from parliamentary newcomer to Environment secretary in just five years, Blair's favorite lieutenant has made no obvious enemies. So, some suggest, why not even skip a generation and go straight to him as a P.M. with the potential to unite a faction-ridden party? Says one friend: "There are plenty in Downing Street who would like to see him build a coalition right now."

Like any good politician, Miliband avoids any displays of excessive ambition. During last week's power struggle, he spoke diplomatically of "an energizing, fresh transition to Gordon Brown," while disclaiming any aspirations to the top job. "I've always said the same thing," he told NEWSWEEK. "Never think about the next job or you'll lose the one you've got." Such reticence won't stop his admirers from listing his leader-like qualities, however.

Start with his age. He's only two years older than David Cameron, the new Conservative leader who's out to restore his party's support beyond its traditional rump of middle-aged and middle-class diehards. Or his ...