Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has intensified divisions within the Labour Party by publicly rebuking a Cabinet rival during a Sky News interview, just a day after Sir Keir Starmer appeared to stabilize support among MPs and avert an immediate leadership challenge.
Miliband Defends Starmer’s Position
Miliband declares Sir Keir Starmer secure, but only if he “seizes this moment of change” and “reconnects with the country.” He emphasizes the challenge ahead, stating: “I want to be clear with you, I know we have a Herculean task to do that, to reconnect with your viewers, to move on from this episode. Because lots of people in the country will be incredibly angry about what’s happened.”
Response to Streeting’s Criticism of Reeves
The comments follow the release of text messages from Health Secretary Wes Streeting, in which he critiques Chancellor Rachel Reeves for lacking a “growth strategy.” Miliband firmly defends Reeves, saying: “I think that actually Rachel has done a very good job as Chancellor, I don’t agree with it – I haven’t seen the detail of the messages – but I think we’ve seen the stability that’s essential… that’s because of the decisions Rachel made too.”
Leadership Ambitions Surface
Miliband seizes the opportunity to outline his vision amid speculation over a potential contest to succeed Starmer. Addressing Streeting’s message questioning a “clear answer to ‘why Labour,'” Miliband responds: “I know the answer to that question, which is for too long this country has been run for the wealthy and powerful and that needs to change.”
Pressed on progress under Starmer, he adds: “Not enough. And I think the job for all of us is to work out how to be bolder with that… for nearly 20 years now we’ve had a long-standing cost of living crisis. Not just a few years when Russia invaded Ukraine and bills went through the roof. And people are hurting. And the job of all of us – and leadership is a collective business – is to show how we can rise to that challenge.”
