Miliband allies deny minister ‘ghosted’ Starmer over budget cuts for defence
Ed Milliband’s allies insist the energy secretary’s relationship with Sir Keir Starmer has not soured amid reports that he has “ghosted” the prime minister in recent weeks.
Sources close to Mr Miliband denied the cabinet minister was refusing to answer Sir Keir’s calls because of cuts to fund defense spending.
No 10 was said to have been “caught off guard” by John Healey’s resignation as defense secretary last week, as they feared he would resign over Mr Miliband’s spending cuts instead.
Times It reported that Sir Keir was “ghosted” by the energy secretary after he contacted Mr Miliband repeatedly and he did not respond.
But a source close to Mr Miliband responded to the reports, saying they were “completely unfounded”.
The minister was reportedly one of the first in Sir Keir’s cabinet to call on him to set a timetable for his departure following last month’s disastrous local election results.
Mr Miliband is said to be close to Andy Burnham, Sir Keir’s main rival for the leadership. Andy Burnham could return to parliament this week if he can secure victory in the Makerfield by-election.
Multiple opinion polls have suggested Mr Burnham is the favorite to win this week’s by-election in the Greater Manchester constituency.
While his closest rival is Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon, Nigel Farage’s political team is worried about losing voters to the Restore Britain party, which positions itself as a tougher party than Reform on immigration and other issues.
Sir Keir indicated on Friday that he would give Mr Burnham a cabinet post if he wins the Makerfield by-election and said he wanted his leadership rival to “play a big role in the Labor government”.
Speaking during the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, the prime minister said he would speak to Mr Burnham “after the weekend” after the Makerfield results came in and said there were no circumstances under which he would quit his job.
Telegram It has been reported that Mr Miliband could be in the running to become Mr Burnham’s chancellor, but he has also been touted by some as a potential rival.
A Miliband supporter told Independent earlier this year: “He has energy and enthusiasm. He is loved by younger members of the party. He is a new man from when he was last leader.”
But amid growing threats to power, Sir Keir insisted he did not feel “angry” or “angry” over the leadership crisis he faces.
It comes after Wes Streeting indicated he was ready to launch the Labor leadership contest as early as next week and called on Sir Keir to set a timetable for Mr Burnham’s departure if he wins the Makerfield by-election.
The former health minister accused the Prime Minister of not listening to the party or his Cabinet in a series of public appearances on Tuesday, while insisting he had the support of the 80 MPs needed to enter the contest.
