Andy Burnham arrived for his first day at No. 10 North on a Government jet, prompting accusations of hypocrisy for a party immiserating the country for the sake of Net Zero and telling the public to cut air travel.
Selection of economist formerly at helm of green thinktank marks continuation of decarbonising Miliband era
In her first 48 hours as energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh was left in no doubt about the thorny policy decision at the top of her in-tray. Protesters from Fossil Free London met her outside her new offices dressed as firefighters holding placards reading: βWeβre already putting out fires, donβt start new ones.β
The MP for Peckham β a radical economist who is outspoken about the climate crisis β is a surprising choice as secretary of state for energy and net zero for those who believe the speculation in Westminster that Andy Burnham wants to approve new oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.
Tories, Reform, fossil fuel industry and some in his party lined up against decarbonisation target as energy secretary
βWhenever the Labour party feels a bit sad,β according to one close observer of the current government, speaking some months ago, βthey wheel out Ed Miliband to talk about rooftop solar.β
It might not have been literally true, but it often felt during Keir Starmerβs premiership as if energy secretary Miliband brought the sun. Unfailingly upbeat, with a simple message that was understandable to voters, he had a clear mission β to decarbonise the UKβs power sector by 2030 β that was seen to be progressing fast.