Former UK foreign secretary David Miliband has sparked speculation that he intends making a political comeback, after appearing on the general election campaign trail supporting Labour candidates.
He has not put himself forward to stand in the general election on July 4 but his appearance in a number of borderline constituencies has triggered suggestions he could be paving the way for a return and a future role in Sir Keir Starmer's government, should Labour win.
After defeat to his brother, Ed, for the Labour leadership, Mr Miliband stepped back from frontline politics in 2013, taking up the role of president and chief executive of the International Rescue Committee. However, he has remained vocal from the sidelines.
In Lincoln, in eastern England, he appeared in a video promoting candidate Hamish Falconer. Mr Miliband described the seat, which is presently held by the Conservatives, who won it by a small majority of 3,514 in 2019, as “absolutely critical” in the election battle.
He has also been pictured in other parts of the UK, appearing in constituencies presently held by the Conservatives in Corbridge, in Northumberland, north-east England, the central town of Aylesbury and Buckingham, in southern England.
Despite leaving politics a decade ago he has never ruled out a comeback, and in 2022 told LBC radio station that the matter of whether he might stand as a Labour politician again had “not been decided yet”.
Mr Miliband moved to New York after leaving politics after his failure to win leadership of the Labour Party, following the resignation of Gordon Brown in 2010.
He started his political career as a senior policy adviser to Sir Tony Blair in the 1990s and was elected as MP for South Shields in north-east England in 2001 – a position he held for 12 years – and served as foreign secretary from 2007 to 2010,under prime ministers Mr Blair and Mr Brown.
The UK looks set for a Labour-led government, with one poll released last week putting Keir Starmer's party on 37 per cent; Reform UK at 19 per cent, just ahead of the Conservatives at 18 per cent; the Liberal Democrats at 14 per cent; the Greens at 7 per cent; the SNP at 3 per cent; Plaid Cymru at 1 per cent; and others at 2 per cent.
The deadline for British citizens living overseas who want to vote in next month's general election must register by Tuesday, June 18, to cast their ballot.
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
- It’s So Easy
- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Results
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The specs
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