The Unlikely Target: Ed Miliband’s Unrelenting Assault

Ed Miliband has been a beacon of hope as UK energy secretary, with an unwavering commitment to decarbonizing the country’s power sector by 2030. His tenure has been marked by significant achievements, including record levels of renewables contracts and reforms that have accelerated deployment at an unprecedented rate.

Miliband’s success is undeniable. He has lifted the ban on onshore windfarms, begun consenting offshore windfarms and solar farms, and reformed a chaotic queue for grid connections. Auctions secured enough capacity to supply about 23 million homes, while the warm homes plan should lift over 1 million families out of fuel poverty.

The government’s announcement that the private sector has committed around £100 billion to the UK’s clean technology sector is a testament to Miliband’s vision and leadership. Plans are also underway to support 400,000 people into low-carbon jobs – more than double the number employed in the rapidly declining North Sea basin.

However, Miliband’s detractors have been vocal in their criticism. As Ed Matthew, UK director at the E3G thinktank, notes, “His detractors won’t like to admit it, but Miliband has been the most successful minister under the Starmer administration.” This is precisely why they’ve attacked him so viciously.

The right-wing media and fossil fuel industry have long been at odds with Miliband’s climate agenda. Even as three intense heatwaves struck this summer, calls for more drilling in the North Sea grew louder. The Jackdaw gasfield and Rosebank oilfield are just two of the many projects that could compromise the UK’s commitment to net-zero emissions.

Miliband’s departure from the energy department has left a void in leadership, but his appointment to the Foreign Office brings a valuable asset: his climate knowledge and experience. He will undoubtedly continue to push for progress on this critical issue.

The question remains: why are Miliband’s own party members and some unions attacking him? Is it because he’s been too effective? Or is it simply a case of internal politics at play?

As one close civil society observer remarks, “It is not what we wanted, but we have to get on with the rest of what’s needed.” This sentiment echoes the bigger picture: an energy revolution that is unstoppable. Setting the 2030 clean power target was less about meeting the target than turbo-boosting the transition to a cleaner economy.

As Miliband moves into his new role, it’s clear that he will face even greater challenges from vested interests and politicians who are out of touch with reality. But one thing is certain: Ed Miliband has made a difference, and his dedication to climate action will continue to inspire others.

The unrelenting assault on Miliband raises questions about the true motives behind these attacks. Is it simply a case of internal party politics, or is there something more sinister at play? As Ami McCarthy, head of politics at Greenpeace UK, astutely points out, “It’s no surprise that an agenda which challenges the profits of big oil has made him the target of coordinated smears by the industry and its allies.”

Miliband’s genuine leadership and determination to get things done, even in the face of extraordinary attacks from some parts of the political spectrum, have earned him widespread respect. As Craig Bennett, chief executive of the Wildlife Trusts, observes, “At a time when lots of people want to say ‘a plague on all your houses’ about politicians, Miliband stands out as a rare example of someone who’s actually made a difference.”