Ed Miliband just went too far – even Keir Starmer has had enough now | Personal Finance | Finance

Miliband lives in a fantasy world. His claims simply don’t stack up. During the election, he insisted his net zero charge would create 600,000 jobs and cut household energy bills by £300. Instead, it’s destroying jobs and businesses at a terrifying rate, and adding hundreds of pounds to our gas and electricity costs.

He also keeps claiming new North Sea drilling won’t cut bills. That’s dishonest because it ignores the wider economic benefits of domestic oil and gas production. Jobs, tax revenues, exports, a better balance of payments, stronger pound, lower inflation and greater energy security. Lower emissions too.

Despite all those benefits, Miliband would rather we import oil and gas from abroad. Even if it means buying it from Vladimir Putin and funding his murderous war regime, which is peak Ed Miliband madness. As if all that wasn’t enough, he’s also a serial backstabber.

Right now, he’s openly manoeuvring against Starmer while desperately trying to jemmy Andy Burnham into No 10. In doing so, he’s inflaming Labour’s growing civil war. This time, he may finally have overplayed his hand.

Labour activists adore Miliband because they see him as a man of principle, even if his main principle appears to be wiping tens of billions off Britain’s economy. But the cabinet is now revolting.

According to The Times, Starmer is under mounting pressure to torpedo net zero. Ministers are lining up against Miliband, furious at his refusal to acknowledge the economic benefits of domestic oil and gas production. Blair’s intervention has strengthened their hand. Ministers are sick of hearing Miliband insist drilling “won’t take a penny off bills” while ignoring all the wider benefits it would bring.

And here’s what’s really changed. Normally, Starmer caves to Miliband. Not having any opinions of his own, he caves into those with the strongest view, which is usually Red Ed. But with Miliband now in open revolt, even our weak-kneed PM is preparing to take a stand.

Miliband has finally gone too far. If Starmer had any authority, he’d sack him today. That may be too much to ask. But the revolt has started, and this time Miliband had better watch his own back. His enemies are growing in strength. And they’re coming for him. That’s something we can all unite behind.