Starmer appoints Ed Miliband as Shadow Business Secretary

Following his election as Labour Party leader Keir Starmer has appointed former party leader Ed Miliband as Shadow Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy Secretary.

Miliband replaces Rebecca Long-Bailey, runner up in the 2020 party leadership race, who remains on the front bench as Shadow Education Secretary.

In addition to focusing on the business impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, he is expected to head up the Labour Party’s green business agenda.

This is part of Starmer’s pledge to retain policies from the party’s 2017 and 2019 manifestos, including a ‘green new deal’ and progression towards a low-carbon economy.

Miliband, leader of Party from 2010 to 2015, stepped down following the party’s defeat in the 2015 elections, to be succeeded by Jeremy Corbyn.

Prior to this, he served as Climate and Energy Secretary under Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

In a statement published on Twitter, Miliband said: “I am looking forward to serving in Kier Starmer’s Cabinet as Shadow Business and Energy Secretary alongside such a talented team.

“We must all focus on playing our part in the country’s response to coronavirus, working with government to help the many businesses and workers who have been so badly hit and need their voice heard.

“As Kier [has] said, we cannot go back to business as usual after this crisis. We will need to reshape our economy, addressing the insecurity many millions of workers face.

“We must also return to climate change as the unavoidable long-term issue of our time, including with a recovery based on providing economic justice through a Green New Deal."

Starmer said: “I’m proud to have appointed a Shadow Cabinet that showcases the breadth, depth and talents of the Labour Party.

“This is a new team that will be relentlessly focused on acting in the national interest to respond to the coronavirus pandemic and rebuilding Labour so that it can win the next election.”