Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho has launched a scathing attack on Labour’s shadow energy secretary, Ed Miliband, accusing him of deliberately avoiding parliamentary scrutiny over his party’s controversial green energy plans.
Speaking in the House of Commons, Coutinho claimed Miliband was "hiding" from tough questions about Labour’s proposed £28 billion annual investment in renewable energy, which the Conservatives argue is unaffordable and risks destabilising the economy.
Miliband’s ‘No-Show’ Sparks Fury
Coutinho expressed frustration that Miliband failed to attend a recent Commons debate on energy policy, leaving Labour’s junior ministers to face criticism alone. "He’s happy to make grand announcements on TV, but when it comes to proper scrutiny, he’s nowhere to be seen," she said.
Labour’s Defence
Labour sources countered that Miliband was engaged in pre-arranged constituency work and accused the government of "desperate smears" to distract from its own failures on energy security. However, Coutinho insisted the shadow secretary’s absence was part of a pattern of avoiding accountability.
Broader Political Clash
The row highlights growing tensions between the two main parties over energy strategy. The Conservatives have positioned themselves as pragmatists, while Labour pushes for rapid decarbonisation—a policy divide likely to dominate the next general election campaign.
With energy bills remaining a key voter concern, both sides are keen to frame the debate on their terms. Coutinho’s outburst suggests the Tories see Miliband’s £28 billion pledge as a vulnerability worth exploiting.
