Reform MP Lee Anderson has challenged Ed Miliband to stand in his constituency at the next General Election, saying “I know I would beat him”.
The GB News star won in Ashfield with 43 per cent of the vote share at the last General Election in July – beating his Labour rival who secured 29 per cent of the vote.
Lee said on GB News he expects to be running for another term as an MP at the next vote – and wants the energy secretary to be one of his opponents for the seat.
“I think I probably will [re-stand]”, he said.
Lee Anderson issued a challenge to Ed Miliband
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“Has he ever been to Doncaster North? I would love to go against him on a net zero platform.
“I know I would beat him.”
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Ed Miliband is spearheading the Government’s green agendaPAPolitical commentator and trade unionist Andy Twelves hit back, saying it would not be healthy to stand on a single-issue platform.
Lee is an outspoken critic of Miliband due to his efforts in spearheading Britain’s net zero agenda.
His ambitious plan for a fully renewable power grid by 2030 recently came under fire from a leading think tank.
The Centre for Policy Studies (CPS) claims the Energy Secretary’s promise of cheaper electricity relies on inflated figures and unrealistic gas price projections.
Andy Twelves said Lee Anderson should not challenge Miliband
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The criticism centres on a report from the National Energy Systems Operator, which suggested the transition to clean power would not increase consumer costs.
However, the CPS argues that using the energy department’s own central price forecasts, the 2030 plans would actually make UK electricity more expensive.
Miliband’s pre-election claim that the green grid would save billpayers £300 annually has also faced scrutiny, as it was based on energy prices during last year’s peak.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has defended the government’s clean energy initiatives, emphasising their importance for both health and economic reasons.
Speaking to schoolchildren at 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister said: “Clean air is a really important issue”, expressing concern about his own children breathing polluted air.
He argued that the current cost of living crisis has been exacerbated by not transitioning to renewable energy quickly enough.
The Prime Minister pointed to the government’s creation of GB Energy to boost renewable power production, suggesting clean energy could help reduce household bills.
A Desnz spokesman added that “a clean power system will reduce our exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets.”