Seumas Milne: Guardian journalist appointed as Labour's executive director of communications
Mr Milne, a columnist and associate editor at The Guardian, will be “on leave” from the newspaper
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Seumas Milne, a left-wing journalist, has been appointed Labour’s executive director of communications and strategy as Jeremy Corbyn tries to improve his standing with the public.
Mr Milne, a columnist and associate editor at The Guardian, will be “on leave” from the newspaper, Labour said. The move will be seen as bringing an experienced media hand following criticism of Mr Corbyn and his team since his election as Labour leader last month. He has the worst opinion poll ratings for an opposition leader for 60 years.
Labour moderates expressed alarm because of Mr Milne’s far left views. One claimed he had never been “a Labour person” and would have been blocked in the past if he had tried to become a Labour election candidate for not sharing the party’s aims and values. Mr Milne wrote a book about the 1984-85 miners’ strike and afterwards, was one of the few journalists to whom the miners’ leader Arthur Scargill would speak.
Mr Milne, the son of Alasdair Milne, the former BBC director general who died in 2013, was educated at the private Winchester College and at Oxford University.
In recent columns for The Guardian, Mr Milne said Mr Corbyn’s election has transformed politics and that he should not be underestimated. He dismissed David Cameron’s pitch for the centre ground as an illusion.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments