Ed Miliband has firmly ruled himself out of any potential Labour leadership contest this week, even as Sir Keir Starmer's position faces significant threats. However, the substantial backing for the Energy Secretary to reclaim the top role might influence his decision-making process in the future.
Overwhelming Popularity Among Labour Members
Mr Miliband, who experienced a challenging five-year tenure as opposition leader from 2010 to 2015 culminating in a general election defeat, has once again emerged as the most favoured government minister among Labour Party members. These members would be responsible for selecting Sir Keir's successor if a leadership election were to occur.
Cabinet League Table Revelations
The latest Cabinet league table, published today by the LabourList website, reveals that Mr Miliband boasts a net popularity rating of +70. This impressive score maintains his clear lead at the forefront of the rankings, a position he has held consistently for several months. His resurgence as the Cabinet's foremost environmental advocate has significantly bolstered his standing within the party.
In stark contrast, Sir Keir Starmer has only managed to achieve a rating of +5, despite recovering from a previous score of -13 in the November league ranking. This modest improvement follows a winter period marked by widespread discontent among the party's loyal supporters.
Polling Context and Methodology
The survey was conducted by Survation on February 5 and 6, during the peak of the controversy surrounding Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the United States. This appointment faced intense scrutiny due to Mandelson's connections with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, adding to the turbulent political climate at the time.
Negative Ratings for Key Ministers
Two other prominent ministers, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, have received negative ratings of -6 and -9 respectively. Both figures have been under considerable public pressure in recent months, reflecting the challenges within the current Cabinet.
Low-Profile Ministers in Top Rankings
The remainder of the top ten positions is occupied by ministers in roles that attract minimal public attention or controversy. Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn secures second place, followed by Defence Secretary John Healey in third. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who maintains a relatively low public profile, ranks fourth, while Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander completes the top five.
Miliband's Firm Denial and Past Legacy
Earlier this week, Mr Miliband explicitly stated that he would not be running for the Labour leadership in any potential contest. When questioned by Sky News about ruling out a candidacy, the Energy Secretary responded unequivocally, saying, 'I'm not running for the leadership, no.' Pressed further on whether he was definitively ruling it out rather than merely indicating he was not currently running, he affirmed, 'Yes, yes, I'm not going to run.'
Mr Miliband's leadership legacy includes guiding Labour to what was then its poorest election result in three decades in 2015. He resigned shortly after this defeat, making way for Jeremy Corbyn, who later led the party to even greater electoral setbacks in 2019, despite a brief resurgence in 2017 that resulted in a hung parliament.
Memorable Public Incidents
During his time as leader, Mr Miliband gained notoriety for several public incidents. He was famously photographed struggling to eat a bacon sandwich with composure, an image that became widely circulated. Additionally, he was associated with the 'Ed Stone', a large monolith inscribed with a list of campaign pledges, which attracted significant media attention and criticism.
