Sir Keir Starmer's refusal to offer his unequivocal backing to Ed Miliband over Labour’s net zero policy has raised questions about the Energy Secretary's political future. While the Prime Minister’s spokesman on Wednesday expressed confidence in Mr Miliband’s work, he stopped short of guaranteeing that the former Labour leader would remain in post for the full duration of this Parliament.

This lack of commitment to Mr Miliband’s tenure contrasts with previous assurances given to other key members of the Labour Cabinet, such as Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, whose positions were promised to be secure for the entirety of Labour's five-year term. Mr Miliband, who has been tasked with overseeing Labour’s ambitious climate change agenda, has found himself under intense scrutiny following a high-profile intervention from Sir Tony Blair.

The former prime minister, in a report from his Tony Blair Institute (TBI), argued that the current climate change debate had become “irrational” and that strategies calling for the immediate phase-out of fossil fuels were “doomed to fail”.

The issue of Mr Miliband’s position remains unresolved.

While Downing Street has insisted that the Cabinet is united in its commitment to the Government’s net zero targets, the lack of an unequivocal statement on Mr Miliband’s future raises concerns.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman was quick to voice confidence in Mr Miliband’s abilities, calling him “fantastic” and praising his efforts to secure future jobs through the transition to a green economy.

However, when pressed on whether Mr Miliband would stay in his post for the rest of the Parliament, the spokesman stopped short of offering a definitive answer, further fuelling speculation about the Energy Secretary’s future.

In contrast, Number 10 has been steadgast in its inistence that both Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy will stay in their roles for the full duration of Labour’s term.

This apparently discrepancy has not gone unnoticed, especially as Mr Miliband’s climate strategy faces increasing scrutiny, both within the party and from the wider public.

The uncertainty surrounding his position could signal deeper tensions within the Labour Party on how best to manage its climate policies.

While the leadership has made great strides in positioning itself as the greenest Government in waiting, the ongoing debate over the pace of decarbonisation and the potential impact on jobs and the economy remains contentious.

Sir Tony’s comments, which criticise both the urgency of the transition and the tone of climate discourse, reflect broader concerns about how Labour’s policies are being perceived by the electorate.

Mr Miliband has faced his own challenges in defending Labour’s climate targets, with critics arguing that the party’s plans for a rapid transition away from fossil fuels risk alienating working-class voters and those in industries reliant on carbon-intensive jobs.

Express.co.uk has approached Number 10 for comment about whether Mr Miliband will stay in his post for the duration of this Parliament.