THE TEAM working under Ed Miliband in the Shadow Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has been confirmed as the new Labour leader Keir Starmer completes the party’s front bench lineup.
Mr Starmer commented on the announcement: “This is a new team that will take the Labour Party forward in a new era.
“Under my leadership, the Labour Party will be utterly focused on working in the national interest, rebuilding people’s trust in our party and winning the next election.”
Last week it was announced that former Labour leader Ed Miliband would return as Shadow Energy Secretary.
Alan Whitehead is to stay on as Shadow Energy Minister, with his brief expanded to also cover Labour’s work on delivering a Green New Deal.
Writing on Twitter, Whitehead said he was ‘delighted’ to have been asked by Starmer’s frontbench team.
Labour MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, Matthew Pennycook, was appointed as Shadow Climate Change Minister.
Mr Pennycook commented on his new role: “Really pleased to have been asked to take on the role of Shadow Minister for Climate Change.
“Our immediate focus is ensuring the national coronavirus effort succeeds but we cannot lose sight of climate breakdown and the collective response required this decade to avert runaway global warming.”
Completing the team, Lucy Powell was handed the business and consumers brief and Chi Onwurah was appointed Shadow Minister for Science, Research and Digital.
Ms Powell commented on her new role on Twitter: “I’m delighted to have been appointed as Shadow Business and Consumers Minister by Keir Starmer and to be working again with my old boss, Ed Miliband.
“I spoke to Keir last night, and we discussed the importance of the role in ensuring the right support getting to businesses small and large as they struggle with the fall-out of the Coronavirus crisis.
“I will work with Ministers and the business community to ensure teething problems with business support schemes are ironed out, so employers and employees are protected through the difficult times ahead.
“This is a critical time for our high streets too, at the heart of our communities.
“Businesses have a vital role to play in growing our prosperity, supporting thriving high streets, and making our economy work for everyone.”
Ms Onwurah commented that she was ‘so pleased’ to be a part of the team.
