Labour Shadow Secretary Ed Miliband Raises Eyebrows at Party Conference
Ed Miliband, the Shadow Net Zero Secretary, caused a stir at the Labour Conference in Liverpool when he was spotted chatting and posing for selfies with Dale Vince, the backer of eco-activist group Just Stop Oil. The meeting took place at the Pullman Hotel, where the conference is being held, and lasted for around ten minutes. This encounter comes just a day after Vince announced that he would no longer be financially supporting the group.
Unlikely Alliance: Smiles and Selfies Amid Party Criticism
Miliband and Vince appeared friendly and relaxed as they chatted, with both men smiling for the camera during their impromptu photo session. This is despite Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer previously criticizing Just Stop Oil as "chaos" mongers. The amicable encounter raises eyebrows within the party, particularly considering Vince's recent decision to halt his financial support for the eco-activist cause.
Just Stop Oil Backer Changes Tune
Dale Vince, founder of green company Ecotricity and a major donor to the Labour Party, announced yesterday that he would no longer be funding Just Stop Oil. He cited concerns about the potential counterproductive nature of the group's future disruptions, stating that such actions would only fuel the Tories' "culture-war narrative." Vince emphasized the need to "just stop the Tories" in order to "just stop oil."
A Generous Supporter of Just Stop Oil
Vince has been a passionate supporter of Just Stop Oil since its formation in February 2022, having donated a substantial sum of £340,000 to the cause. Additionally, his green energy company, Ecotricity, has contributed over £1.4 million to the Labour Party since 2014. These significant financial contributions have raised questions and attracted attention to the apparent alignment between Vince and the eco-activists.
Labour Attempts to Distance Themselves from Just Stop Oil
Sir Keir Starmer has made efforts to distance himself and the Labour Party from Just Stop Oil, labeling their demands as "contemptible." It remains to be seen how this latest interaction between Miliband and Vince will affect the party's positioning on the matter. Both the Labour Party and Dale Vince have been approached for comment but have yet to respond.
