 In his first speech of 2012 , Miliband said that if Labour won the 2015 general election the times would be difficult economically , but Labour was still the only party capable of delivering " fairness " . He also said he would tackle " vested interests " , citing energy and rail companies . Following the announcement in late January 2012 that the chief executive officer of nationalised The Royal Bank of Scotland , Stephen Hester , would receive a bonus worth £ 950 @,@ 000 , Miliband called the amount " disgraceful " , and urged David Cameron to act to prevent the bonus . Cameron refused , saying it was a matter for the RBS board , leading Miliband to announce that Labour would force a Commons vote on whether or not the government should block it . Hester announced that he would forego his bonus , and Miliband said Labour would carry on with a Commons vote regardless , focusing instead on the bonuses of other RBS executives . Following George Galloway 's unexpected win in the March by @-@ election in Bradford West , Miliband announced he would lead an inquiry into the result , saying , it " could not be dismissed as a one @-@ off " . In April 2012 , in the midst of a debate about the nature of political party funding , Miliband called on David Cameron to institute a £ 5 @,@ 000 cap on donations from individuals and organisations to political parties , after it had been suggested that the government favoured a cap of £ 50 @,@ 000 . On 14 July 2012 , Miliband became the first Leader of the Labour Party to attend and address the Durham Miners ' Gala in 23 years . In the same month , Miliband became the first British politician to be invited to France to meet the new French President , François Hollande . 
