Miliband back on front bench in Starmer’s team

LABOUR: Ex-leader gets business brief as Sir Keir promises Scottish powers

Ed Miliband will return to the Labour frontbench under Sir Keir Starmer as the new leader revealed an overhauled shadow cabinet that includes his former leadership rivals.

Mr Miliband, who was succeeded by Jeremy Corbyn after leading the party to electoral defeat, was named as the new shadow business secretary yesterday.

His predecessor in the role, Rebecca Long-bailey, has been moved to education and joins fellow leadership rivals Lisa Nandy and Emily Thornberry in Sir Keir’s top team.

David Lammy was named as shadow justice secretary.

The moves will be seen as an attempt to unite a fractured party, bringing back some names from the party’s recent past while holding on to some who excelled under Mr Corbyn.

Sir Keir 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.”

Mr Miliband led a more moderate party than his immediate successor Mr Corbyn, who guided Labour to its worst general election defeat since 1935.

His return comes after he found fresh popularity hosting a podcast in the wake of his 2015 general election defeat.

Ms Thornberry has been appointed shadow international trade secretary, after Ms Nandy replaced her in the role of shadow foreign secretary.

Mr Lammy returns from the backbenches having been brought into government by Tony Blair.

Ian Murray, who ran for the deputy leadership, returns as shadow Scotland secretary after resigning from the role under Mr Corbyn while criticising his leadership.

Dr Rosena Allin-khan, who also unsuccessfully stood to be deputy and who continues to work as a hospital doctor, is shadow minister for mental health.

John Healey was moved to become shadow defence secretary having served in education for Mr Corbyn.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir said the Scottish Parliament should have more powers as part of a federal system of government.

Writing in yesterday’s Daily Record, he set out his views on devolution and the UK constitution.

He said Labour would set up a UK constitutional convention based on the principle of federalism.

Sir Keir said: Labour has lost touch with too many people in Scotland. The road back to connecting with the Scottish public will not be quick or easy, but I promise I will make it my priority.”

Picture: PA. New Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has outlined his own vision of how he sees Scotland’s future under his party.

Ed Miliband is back in frontline politics, being made shadow business secretary in Sir Keir Starmer’s first team as Labour leader.