Ed Miliband closed Labour’s conference in Liverpool with a stinging defence of his climate agenda and a warning to his critics.
He made clean energy and public ownership the centrepiece of his pitch – and slammed the notion of reviving fracking.
He reminded delegates of his party’s achievements so far: “Ten thousand new jobs at Sizewell C … the biggest investment in clean energy in British history … the first publicly owned energy company in 70 years, Great British Energy.”
He also reaffirmed promises to lift the onshore wind ban and deploy “enough solar to power 2 million homes.”
For the energy transition to be real, Miliband insisted, it must deliver jobs.
“What’s so important about clean energy is that it can answer that call for a different kind of economy … It offers the biggest opportunity for job creation for decades. Skilled jobs in proud professions.”
He announced an expanded deployment programme for Great British Energy: on top of 200 rooftop solar installations already planned, he pledged “45 more schools … over 50 more NHS sites” and for the first time, cooperation with the Ministry of Defence so military sites also benefit from cuts to their energy bills.
Fracking
On fracking, Miliband was unflinching. “Fracking will not take a penny off bills. It will not create long-term sustainable jobs. It will trash our climate commitments.”
He recalled community resistance: “Communities have fought back … we sent those frackers packing. Let’s vow to send this bunch of frackers packing too.”
Miliband cast the push for fossil fuel revival as part of a broader fight.
He accused Reform (and others) of waging “war” on clean energy, on workers in green industries and on future generations.
He framed this moment as existential: “This is the battle of our time … our people and our communities against the political con men who want to sell our country out … against those who would rob them of their rights … against those who would betray every young person in our country and every person yet to be born.”
Throughout, his aim was clear: bind the green transition to fairness and public control.
By making Great British Energy central to his vision and rejecting fossil fuel fantasies, Miliband tried to stake out a distinct climate identity for Labour.
Whether that wins the public over against the background of rising bills will play out over the next few months.
