Introduction
Ed Miliband’s political career has followed one of the more remarkable arcs in modern British politics: from Labour Party leader to a period out of frontline leadership, and now to one of the most senior positions in government as the UK’s Foreign Secretary. His July 2026 appointment under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham caps a decade-long political comeback few would have predicted after his 2015 resignation.
This article covers Ed Miliband’s career, his years leading the Labour Party, and his new role at the heart of Britain’s foreign policy.
Who Is Ed Miliband?
Edward Samuel Miliband is a British Labour politician born on December 24, 1969, in Fitzrovia, London. He has served as the Member of Parliament for Doncaster North since May 2005 and was appointed UK Foreign Secretary on July 20, 2026, under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Miliband previously led the Labour Party as Leader of the Opposition from 2010 to 2015, and most recently served as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero under Keir Starmer’s government.
Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Edward Samuel Miliband |
| Date of Birth | December 24, 1969 |
| Birthplace | Fitzrovia, London, England |
| Party | Labour |
| Constituency | Doncaster North (MP since 2005) |
| Education | Oxford University (PPE); London School of Economics (MSc Economics) |
| Current Role | Foreign Secretary (since July 20, 2026) |
| Former Role | Leader of the Labour Party (2010–2015) |
Early Life and Family Background
Ed Miliband was born to Polish Jewish immigrant parents: his father, Ralph Miliband, was a Belgian-born Marxist sociologist who fled to Britain during World War II, and his mother, Marion Kozak, was Polish-born. His older brother, David Miliband, also became a prominent Labour politician, serving as Foreign Secretary under Gordon Brown.
Miliband studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, before completing a Master’s degree in Economics at the London School of Economics.
Ed Miliband’s Early Political Career
Entering Government Under Blair and Brown
Miliband was elected MP for Doncaster North in 2005. He went on to serve as Minister for the Third Sector from 2006 to 2007, before becoming Minister for the Cabinet Office in 2007 under Gordon Brown.
Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
From 2008 to 2010, Miliband served as the UK’s first Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. During this period, he oversaw the introduction of the Climate Change Act 2008, making the UK the first country in the world to enshrine legally binding climate targets into law.
Leading the Labour Party (2010–2015)
Following Labour’s defeat in the 2010 general election, Miliband won the party’s leadership contest, notably defeating his older brother, David Miliband, in the process. He served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition from September 2010 to May 2015.
During his leadership, Miliband took a notably critical stance toward Israel during the 2014 Gaza war and backed a parliamentary vote supporting recognition of a Palestinian state. His tenure also saw a decline in Labour’s support among Jewish voters, a shift that marked a departure from the party’s standing during the Blair and Brown years.
Miliband resigned as Labour leader following the party’s defeat in the 2015 general election, stepping back from frontline leadership.
Career Timeline Table
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2005 | Elected MP for Doncaster North |
| 2008–2010 | Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change |
| 2010 | Elected Leader of the Labour Party |
| 2010–2015 | Leader of the Opposition |
| 2015 | Resigns as Labour leader following election defeat |
| 2020 | Returns to shadow cabinet as Shadow Business Secretary |
| 2024 | Appointed Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero |
| July 2026 | Appointed UK Foreign Secretary |
Life After the Labour Leadership
Following his resignation, Miliband spent several years outside frontline politics, though he remained an active MP. During this period, he became co-host of the current affairs podcast Reasons to Be Cheerful, starting in 2017, and took on academic roles, including a visiting position at Harvard University.
His political comeback began gradually, culminating in his return to the shadow cabinet under Keir Starmer in 2020, first as Shadow Business Secretary and later as Shadow Secretary of State for Energy and Net Zero.
Energy Secretary Under Starmer
Following Labour’s victory in the 2024 general election, Miliband was appointed Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, a role he held from July 2024 until his appointment as Foreign Secretary in 2026.
Becoming Foreign Secretary in 2026
A Cabinet Reshuffle Under Andy Burnham
Following Keir Starmer’s resignation and Andy Burnham’s appointment as Prime Minister on July 20, 2026, Miliband was named the UK’s new Foreign Secretary as part of a broader cabinet reshuffle. The move saw Burnham reshape the cabinet, moving away from figures closely associated with Starmer’s leadership, with former Foreign Secretary David Lammy leaving his position and Yvette Cooper moving to Health and Social Care.
Reports had speculated for weeks that Miliband, previously linked to a possible move to the Treasury, could be handed the Foreign Office brief once Burnham took over from Starmer.
A Personal Connection to the New Prime Minister
Miliband’s appointment carries an additional layer of personal history: Burnham was the very candidate Miliband defeated in the 2010 Labour leadership contest, after which Burnham went on to serve loyally in Miliband’s shadow cabinet for five years. The two have reportedly grown increasingly close in the years since.
A Historic Milestone
Ed Miliband‘s appointment as Foreign Secretary also marks a notable milestone, as he became Labour’s first Jewish party leader during his 2010–2015 tenure, and his return to a senior cabinet role continues to draw attention given his previous positions on Middle East policy during his time as party leader.
Personal Life
Ed Miliband is married and has two children. His long political and personal association with his brother, David Miliband, remains a notable thread throughout his career, given their shared path through Labour politics and their high-profile 2010 leadership contest against one another.
Why Ed Miliband’s Career Continues to Draw Attention
Several factors make his political journey particularly notable:
- A genuine political comeback, rising from resignation in 2015 to one of the UK’s most senior cabinet positions in 2026
- A significant environmental policy legacy, including his role in passing the world’s first legally binding national climate targets
- A close, complex relationship with the new Prime Minister, having previously defeated Burnham in a leadership contest
- Continued relevance in foreign policy debates, given his past positions on the Middle East and international affairs
FAQs About Ed Miliband
1. What is Ed Miliband’s current role? He was appointed UK Foreign Secretary on July 20, 2026, under new Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
2. Was Ed Miliband ever leader of the Labour Party? Yes, he led the Labour Party and served as Leader of the Opposition from 2010 to 2015, before resigning following the party’s general election defeat.
3. What role did Ed Miliband hold before becoming Foreign Secretary? He served as Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero under Keir Starmer’s government from July 2024 to July 2026.
4. Is Ed Miliband related to David Miliband? Yes, David Miliband is his older brother and a fellow Labour politician, who also served as UK Foreign Secretary under Gordon Brown.
5. What is Ed Miliband known for in climate policy? He oversaw the introduction of the Climate Change Act 2008, making the UK the first country to legally commit to binding climate targets.
Conclusion
Ed Miliband’s political journey, from Labour Party leader to a period outside frontline politics, and now to Foreign Secretary under Andy Burnham, reflects one of the most notable comeback stories in recent British political history. His return to one of the government’s most senior roles brings decades of experience in energy, climate, and now foreign policy to a pivotal moment in UK politics.
As he takes on the Foreign Office brief, Ed Miliband’s next chapter will be closely watched, both for how he shapes Britain’s international relations and for what his appointment signals about the direction of Andy Burnham’s new government.
