Energy Secretary Ed Miliband seems ready to explode at any moment, right under Prime Minister Keir Starmer. All he needs is a reason, and it looks like he might have just gotten one.
Miliband has been a ticking time bomb since he stopped all new North Sea oil and gas projects right after the election. I don’t recall Labour promising to harm the energy industry during the campaign, but that didn’t stop him. Unions warned this could cost thousands of jobs, but Miliband didn’t listen. Thankfully, voters stopped him from becoming PM in 2015.
Now, Starmer is the only one who can stop Miliband’s extreme green plans before they hurt the UK’s economy. Miliband’s strict focus on cutting carbon emissions could harm industries, raise energy prices, and push businesses out of the country. It won’t even help the planet much, as we’d just end up importing energy from elsewhere.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves would likely support Starmer if he stops Miliband. Miliband’s radical green ideas clash with her goal of making Labour seem pro-growth and pro-business. His plan to end fossil fuels by 2030 could either ruin the economy or his career. We’ll soon find out which.
Miliband is now facing a big decision about the Jackdaw gas field and Rosebank oil field. A court has blocked these projects, forcing the government to rethink their environmental impact. Ironically, Miliband is the one who must decide their future.
If he approves them, he’ll damage his image as a climate champion. If he blocks them, he’ll hurt Labour’s growth plans, risk the UK’s energy security, cost the country a lot of money, and possibly push Shell to move its operations to New York. If Shell leaves, other companies might follow.
This is a huge moment for Miliband. Will he ruin his career or the UK economy?
Then there’s the issue of Heathrow’s proposed third runway. In 2009, Miliband threatened to quit over this, and he still opposes it. This time, he says he won’t resign, but he’s in a tough spot because Reeves strongly supports the expansion.
Reeves and Starmer can’t let Miliband’s extreme green ideas keep holding back their economic plans. If they’re serious about growth, Miliband has to go.
Starmer has a tough choice: keep Miliband and risk the economy, or take action and remove him. The PM should fire him—unless Miliband decides to step down first. The Jackdaw decision might be the final trigger.
