Ed Miliband has launched a new power grab, attempting to take control of Brexit reset negotiations, according to The Times. This move has put him on a collision course with Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who has pushed back against the foreign secretary's overreach.
Miliband's Pattern of Overstepping
Miliband has a history of exceeding his brief. As Labour leader in 2013, he voted against bombing Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's chemical weapons stockpiles, a decision that caused headaches for both then-Prime Minister David Cameron and US President Barack Obama. The Syrian people continued to suffer sarin gas attacks for five more years.
His plotting against his brother David to win the Labour leadership, with union support, led to a humiliating defeat in the 2015 general election. Rule changes he introduced then paved the way for Jeremy Corbyn to take over, resulting in two more electoral losses in 2017 and 2019.
Clash with Burnham
As energy secretary, Miliband's accelerated net zero policies were seen as too costly and fast, contributing to Keir Starmer's downfall. He then plotted against Starmer, helping Burnham rise to power. Burnham, wary of Miliband's ambitions, appointed him foreign secretary, hoping to keep him occupied abroad.
However, Miliband has instead used the role to hold meetings with counterparts in Paris and Madrid, attempting to lead Brexit negotiations despite it not being his job. Sources say it has been made clear to him that "the EU is not his job even if you might want it to be," and he must content himself with being "responsible for the rest of the world."
Impact and Outlook
Burnham has successfully pushed back for now, but the situation highlights Miliband's relentless pursuit of influence. Observers expect him to continue challenging boundaries, causing further disruption for the Labour Party and the country.
