Ed Miliband named Shadow Secretary for climate change and net-zero in Labour reshuffle

Miliband will step into a newly create climate role in the Shadow Cabinet 

Miliband announced late on Monday (29 November) that he had been appointed to the new position of Shadow Secretary of State of Climate Change and Net Zero by the Labour Party. He had been serving as Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) for the past 18 months, after making a return to front-bench politics in 2020.

“As Labour’s new Shadow Secretary of State of Climate Change and Net Zero I will lead Labour’s Green New Deal, transforming our energy system, leading the allocation of our Climate Investment Pledge, and delivering a net-zero industrial strategy” Miliband stated on Twitter.

“I came back to frontline politics because tackling the climate emergency is the most important issue we face. We need a Labour Government with a dedicated department to decarbonise our economy and deliver climate justice and economic justice together. That’s the work I’ll lead.”

Miliband was one of the driving forces behind the UK’s historic 2008 Climate Change Act which was updated to enshrine the net-zero emissions target for 2050 into law. In his recent time away from frontline politics, Miliband has advocated for a “socially just” low-carbon transition which he believes has been encapsulated in Labour’s vision for a Green New Deal.

In his remit, he has been a critical voice in holding the Government to account on green legislation. At the start of the year, he criticised a decision from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to archive the flagship Industrial Strategy.

Miliband criticised the decision, which he claimed had caused “consternation”. Miliband warned that the partnership between business and government – one of the main benefits of rolling energy and climate into business policy as part of the formation of BEIS and the subsequent Industrial Strategy – could be fractured as a result.

Labour Reshuffle

Jonathan Reynolds, MP for Stalybridge, who previously held the role of Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, has moved into Miliband’s old role as BEIS Shadow Secretary.

Reynolds re-enters the sphere of climate policy, having previously served as Shadow Minister at the now defunct Department of Energy and Climate Change. Reynolds served as Shadow Minister from October 2013 to September 2015.

In other areas of the reshuffle, David Lammy was promoted to shadow foreign secretary. Lammy replaces Lisa Nandy who is stepping into a new role that will scrutinise the Levelling Up agenda being steered by for Environment Secretary Michael Gove.

A warm welcome to the new Shadow Cabinet team and a heartfelt thank you to those who have left.

The Labour Party I lead is focused on the priorities of our country and holding the Conservative Government to account.

With Labour, Britain’s best days are ahead. pic.twitter.com/isHyfTqH9h

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) November 29, 2021

Matt Mace