Ed Miliband is starting fires again. Andy Burnham can’t put them out (Image: Getty)
Red Ed is a one-man political firestorm, and Burnham is the latest colleague to get singed. If the PM hoped he could stop Miliband starting fires at the heart of government by appointing him Foreign Secretary, he’s quickly been proved wrong. This has simply unleashed the madness on a much wider scale. Miliband seems to have got it into his head that his new role gives him a say in absolutely everything. And he’s igniting rows with one Cabinet colleague after another.
Miliband did it under Keir Starmer too, when he acted like he was running the Labour Party, and in many ways he was. He clashed with Rachel Reeves by rejecting her plan to reduce green taxes on energy bills. He infuriated half the cabinet by blocking North Sea drilling, destroying jobs, tax revenues and the balance of payments. Starmer made a feeble attempt to reshuffle Miliband, but gave up when he refused to leave. Miliband then turned on Starmer, who went down in flames.
Miliband was salivating at the prospect of Burnham making him Chancellor, but for once didn’t get his way. Instead, he’s thrown himself into his new job, with his customary wild-eyed gusto. He’s always been a man on a mission, and now he seems to think he’s cabinet minister for the entire world. He’s been lighting fires in the most politically charged areas: attacking Israel, apologising for slavery and sneakily reversing Brexit. Burnham, who’s proving just as feeble as Starmer, is letting him run riot. Now a huge internal row is brewing.
Miliband is no longer energy secretary, but net zero remains close to his heart. And he’s once again going beyond his remit to make sure Labour policy reflects his own personal agenda, while flicking matches at anyone who gets in his way.
A bitter Cabinet row has broken out over the Heathrow Airport expansion. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, Chancellor John Healey and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds are said to back the £49billion project. Miliband and his protege, Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, who’s keen to light a fire under her own career, oppose it.
Cabinet members are aghast at the sight of Miliband barging into their territory. That’s our man. The latest flashpoint isn’t just about Heathrow. North Sea drilling, foreign policy, economic growth, AI and data centres are all getting sucked into Miliband’s firestorm.
So what is Burnham doing? Nothing much. Being in charge of a whole country is proving a shock after only having Manchester to play with. This is a much bigger train set, and he’s struggling with the controls. And that allows the likes of Miliband to decide the direction.
There’s a reason Burnham likes talking about his 10-year plan. It’s because he doesn’t have one for next week, next month or even next year. Miliband is full of plans though, as Cabinet colleagues are learning to their cost. This fire is only going to spread. Left unchecked, it could burn Andy Burnham down. Because that’s what Red Ed does.
Miliband as Foreign Secretary Was a Mistake – Now He’s Burning Labour Down
Ed Miliband’s appointment as Foreign Secretary has become the subject of growing political debate, with critics questioning whether his approach is helping the government or creating further divisions within the Labour Party. At a time when Prime Minister Andy Burnham is attempting to establish a new political direction, Miliband’s interventions have raised difficult questions about the government’s priorities, internal unity and long-term ambitions.
The controversy reflects a wider struggle within Labour over the direction of Britain’s domestic and foreign policies. While some party figures believe Miliband brings valuable experience and strong international credentials, others are concerned that his political approach could become a source of disagreement at a particularly sensitive moment.
The central question is whether his influence is strengthening the government’s position or making an already complicated political situation even harder to manage.
A Controversial Appointment
When Andy Burnham appointed Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary in July 2026, the decision attracted considerable attention.
Miliband is an experienced Labour politician who previously served as party leader between 2010 and 2015. He has also held senior government responsibilities, including serving as Energy Secretary.
His appointment to one of the most important positions in government was therefore significant.
The Foreign Secretary is responsible for representing Britain internationally, maintaining diplomatic relationships and responding to major geopolitical developments. The role requires political judgement, strategic communication and the ability to work closely with the Prime Minister.
However, Miliband’s political history means that his appointment inevitably carries additional significance.
His previous leadership experience, policy priorities and relationships within Labour could all influence the balance of power inside the government.
Critics argue that appointing such a prominent political figure to a senior position could create competing centres of influence, particularly when the Prime Minister is trying to establish clear authority over the government.
Labour’s Internal Divisions Become Increasingly Visible
One of the biggest challenges facing Labour is maintaining unity while pursuing an ambitious programme of political and economic reform.
The party contains different political traditions and competing priorities. Some ministers favour rapid changes to Britain’s economic and environmental policies, while others are more cautious about the financial and political consequences.
Miliband has long been associated with ambitious environmental policies and the transition towards cleaner energy.
These objectives have become important elements of Labour’s political identity. However, they have also generated disagreements about costs, implementation and the impact on households and businesses.
For critics, the concern is that disagreements over major policies could weaken the government’s overall message.
A government needs a clear direction, particularly when dealing with economic uncertainty and growing public expectations.
If senior ministers appear to be pursuing competing priorities, the opposition can use those disagreements to question the government’s leadership and credibility.