Ed Miliband's political influence is again causing upheaval, this time within Andy Burnham's government, raising fears of repeat chaos and disaster. Critics argue his actions as foreign secretary are damaging UK diplomacy and domestic policy.
Miliband's Controversial Career
Miliband, who failed to become prime minister in 2015, is now exerting significant control over the current government, according to a commentary by Harvey Jones. His first major intervention was blocking a joint US, UK, and French raid on Syrian chemical weapons stockpiles in 2013, which allegedly allowed attacks to continue for five years. Even his brother David Miliband said his actions contributed to the chaos.
After becoming energy secretary in 2024, Miliband blocked new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea, destroying jobs and tax revenues while increasing imports from Norway, the US, and Qatar. He also invested heavily in quangos like Great British Energy and carbon capture technology, paying wind farms billions for electricity the grid cannot use.
Impact on Foreign Policy
Andy Burnham avoided making Miliband chancellor but appointed him foreign secretary, a role requiring diplomacy and pragmatism. Miliband's first actions included turning his ire on Israel and wading into the slavery debate, embarrassing the King. Israel is now backing Argentina's claim to the Falklands, while Burnham spends taxpayers' money on net zero projects in the Caribbean.
Miliband is also pushing the PM to re-run Brexit and trashing the UK's reputation in Washington. The commentary concludes that Miliband's destiny is to destroy everyone around him, having done so to his brother and Keir Starmer, and now potentially to Andy Burnham.
