A Selfie-Op

Last night, Shadow Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband found himself in the company of Just Stop Oil (JSO) bankroller Dale Vince during the Labour Conference in Liverpool. The two posed for a selfie inside the Pullman Hotel, where the conference is taking place.

A Change of Heart?

Despite Vince's previous financial support for the eco-zealots, he recently announced that he would no longer fund the group and instead focus on "just stopping the Tories." This declaration came as a surprise to many, considering he has donated hundreds of thousands to JSO in the past.

Smiles and Snaps

During their encounter, Miliband and Vince engaged in a lively conversation with a small group of conference delegates. Their amicable chats soon led to wrapping arms around each other and capturing some selfies. This lighthearted moment between the two seemed to contradict Sir Keir Starmer's previous criticism of JSO as "chaos" mongers.

The Motive Behind the Move

Vince explained that he decided to stop bankrolling the eco-zealots due to concerns that their future disruptive actions would be "counterproductive." He also highlighted that this mass disruption would potentially strengthen the Tories' "culture-war narrative." In his own words, "In order to 'just stop oil,' first we need to just stop the Tories."

A Generous Supporter

Since the formation of JSO in February 2022, Vince has been an ardent supporter, contributing a substantial £340,000. Additionally, his green energy company Ecotricity has donated over £1.4 million to the Labour Party since 2014.

Clearing the Air

It's worth noting that Sir Keir Starmer has distanced himself and the Labour Party from JSO, denouncing their demands as "contemptible." It remains to be seen how this interaction between Miliband and Vince will play out within the party, but it's safe to say questions will be asked.

No Comment Yet

Both the Labour Party and Dale Vince have been contacted for comments on the matter.