Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, comes across as something of a political nerd, determined to bankrupt the country with his distinctive brand of net zero zealotry. Miliband has devised the answer to this image problem. He is looking to hire a vanity photographer – at considerable public expense – despite previously criticising politicians who did the same thing. In 2010, Miliband condemned David Cameron, then prime minister, for hiring a ‘personal photographer’ at a time when the government was asking everyone in the country to ‘tighten their belts’. Some might think it a touch hypocritical to do the same now that he’s in government – but clearly not our Ed.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), headed by the former Labour leader, is advertising for a photographer to produce images that ‘grab headlines and stand out on social
media’. Should that really be the priority for this or any government department?
Is there no end to this hypocrisy and vanity? Are there really no more important things to focus on?
The lucky applicant will receive a salary of £41,000 and a £5,000 ‘communications allowance’ (what for, exactly?).
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