Ed Miliband's Steadying Influence Amid Labour's Leadership Turmoil
In the midst of a significant internal crisis for the Labour Party, Ed Miliband has emerged as a crucial stabilising figure. Unlike many of his cabinet colleagues, Miliband harbours no ambition to reclaim the party leadership or become Prime Minister, having experienced the role's pressures firsthand during his previous tenure. This unique position grants him a level of credibility and gravitas that other ministers often lack, allowing him to navigate the current turbulence with a calm, experienced hand.
The Reluctant Enforcer Steps Forward
With other senior Labour figures either unavailable or unsuitable for the delicate media rounds, the task fell to Miliband. Pat McFadden, typically Starmer's enforcer, was reportedly not at his best following recent studio appearances. Meanwhile, figures like Emma Reynolds and Wes Streeting were deemed too unpredictable or personally invested to handle the situation with the necessary detachment.
Miliband's approach was characteristically straightforward. Speaking to the BBC's Nick Robinson on the Today programme, he acknowledged the reality of the leadership crisis rather than dismissing it as media fabrication. He framed the situation as Labour MPs having peered over a precipice and recoiled from what they saw—a stark reminder of the potential consequences of destabilising the leadership without a clear successor in place.
A Transactional Political Reality
The energy secretary emphasised the transactional nature of the political landscape. Many Labour MPs, he suggested, might doubt their prospects in a 2029 election if the party's polling remains poor, but removing Starmer prematurely could trigger an early election and immediate job losses. This pragmatic assessment served as both a warning to restless backbenchers and a subtle assertion of cabinet authority.
Miliband did offer measured praise for Starmer, describing his recent speech to the parliamentary party as bold and passionate. However, he noted the longstanding irony that Starmer's most compelling performances often occur behind closed doors, away from public view. When facing television cameras, the Labour leader has frequently appeared muted, fading into what critics describe as political beige.
Fashioning a Leader in His Own Image
There is a growing perception that Miliband is effectively shaping Starmer's leadership to align with his own vision. The suggestion is that Starmer now governs from Downing Street largely through the sufferance of a cabinet elite, with Miliband content to provide the illusion of control—a metaphorical fake steering wheel—while ensuring Labour pursues policies consistent with his ideological preferences.
This arrangement appears mutually convenient. Miliband avoids the burdens of frontline leadership while influencing government direction, and Starmer retains the premiership's formal trappings. The alternative—engineering a leadership change without a prepared successor—presents far greater uncertainty and risk for the party.
Internal Rivalries and Future Challenges
The power dynamics within Labour's upper echelons remain complex. Wes Streeting, for instance, is unlikely to relinquish his ambitions without contention. Miliband addressed this indirectly by criticising those who might exploit the crisis for personal advancement, while also reaffirming his longstanding distrust of figures like Peter Mandelson.
Despite the temporary stabilisation, challenges loom. The upcoming May elections represent a potential flashpoint, and Starmer's public pledge never to walk away from his role carries an ironic undertone—his position ultimately depends on continued cabinet and parliamentary support.
For now, Miliband's steady presence has provided Labour with a semblance of equilibrium. His unique blend of experience, detachment from leadership ambitions, and pragmatic realism has proven invaluable during a period of profound uncertainty, though the underlying tensions within the party are far from resolved.
