Ed Miliband, a veteran Labour politician, has been appointed as the United Kingdom's new Foreign Secretary. He described the role as "the honour of my life." Miliband, who previously served as the Leader of the Labour Party from 2010 to 2015, was considered a potential candidate for Chancellor but will instead succeed Yvette Cooper in the Foreign Office.
Political Career Highlights
Miliband rose to prominence in the Labour Party, becoming leader after a contest in 2010 that followed the party's general election defeat. His victory, secured by a narrow margin, was partly attributed to trade union support. At 40 years old, he aimed to usher in a new generation for the party. His brother, David Miliband, subsequently left British politics to lead the International Rescue charity in New York.
As leader, Ed Miliband sought to move the party beyond the "New Labour" era, advocating for a more left-wing stance on issues such as taxation and inequality, and distancing the party from the Iraq War. His tenure as leader was also marked by unique public moments, including the "#milifandom" social media campaign and public commentary on his appearance, notably an unflattering photograph of him eating a bacon sandwich in 2014. He also introduced the "Edstone," a large limestone tablet outlining six policy points, which drew considerable public mockery and was seen as a symbol of his 2015 election campaign's difficulties.
Reflecting on his time as leader, Miliband later stated that his biggest regret was not "speaking in primary colours about the changes I want to see," rather than specific public incidents. He resigned as leader to make way for Jeremy Corbyn, who led the party until 2020, when Keir Starmer took over. Miliband returned to the front benches under Starmer, serving as shadow business secretary and later as shadow climate change and net zero secretary.
Return to Government
Following the Labour Party's significant victory in the 2024 general election under Sir Keir Starmer, Miliband has been brought back into a prominent government role. He has been tasked with addressing climate change through a Green Prosperity Plan, aimed at investing in renewable energy and fostering job creation and economic growth. His appointment as Foreign Secretary signifies a key position within the new administration.