Mr Miliband said he was aware of the historical significance of becoming Britain’s first Jewish prime minister if he wins the next election, despite his atheism. Disraeli, the Conservative prime minister, had a Jewish heritage but was a practising Anglican. During a visit to Jerusalem, Mr Miliband said: “Someone asked me if I thought it was a disadvantage, that people would be less likely to vote for me because I’m Jewish, and I said absolutely not.