Out of the shadows: Miliband returns to Labour’s front line
LABOUR’S former leader Ed Miliband made a surprise return to the party’s frontbench yesterday as part of Sir Keir Starmer’s shadow cabinet.
Mr Miliband, who led the party to a humiliating election defeat five years ago, was brought back as shadow business secretary.
He replaces Rebecca Long-Bailey, Sir Keir’s main leadership rival, who was handed the shadow education brief.
Mr Miliband said: “I am looking forward to serving 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 busi- nesses and workers who have been so badly hit and need their voice heard.”
Ms Long-Bailey said she was “delighted” by her new role.
Sir Keir, a former barrister and millionaire, has been overhauling his shadow cabinet after replacing Jeremy Corbyn as party leader at the weekend.
Yesterday Sir Keir confirmed the rest of his frontbench, including David Lammy as the new shadow justice secretary, John Healey as shadow defence secretary and Jonathan Reynolds as shadow work and pensions secretary. Other high-profile changes have included the demotion of Emily Thornberry – who also ran for leader against Sir Keir – from shadow foreign secretary to shadow international trade secretary. Lisa Nandy, another leadership rival, was named shadow foreign secretary.
Former shadow defence secretary Nia Griffiths has been demoted to shadow Wales secretary while Angela Rayner is the new deputy leader and Labour chair, Anneliese Dodds is shadow chancellor and Nick Thomas-Symonds shadow home secretary.
Rachel Reeves has taken the job of shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, while Jonathan Ashworth kept his post as shadow health secretary.
Sir Keir said: “I am 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.”
Ed Miliband was Labour leader from 2010 until 2015, when he resigned after the party suffered a crushing defeat to David Cameron’s Tory party.
‘I am looking forward to serving with a talented team’