Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Look Ahead Following Keir Starmer Offers Apology to Streeting for Aggressive Backgrounding
Senior Labour Party figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has urged the party to move beyond party conflicts after PM Keir Starmer directly said sorry to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over damaging briefings linked to the Prime Minister's office.
Key Updates
- Ed Miliband states the Prime Minister will fire the No 10 staffer responsible for attacking Streeting if found
- The Energy Secretary rejects future party leader aspirations, stating his previous experience as leader was the "best protection" against desiring the position again
- UK economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, hit by the JLR hack
Situation
The political controversy erupted after media stories circulated about hostile background comments from the Prime Minister's allies targeting the Health Secretary. Despite early efforts to minimize the matter, the discussion between Starmer and Streeting reportedly followed a more serious turn.
The Prime Minister expressed regret to Wes Streeting, journalists have been advised. The conversation was concise, and they did not address the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under increasing scrutiny to sack.
Miliband's Response
In his morning media interviews, Ed Miliband stressed the need for the party to focus on country-wide priorities rather than party divisions.
Clearly, I think the briefing has been unhelpful, without doubt.
But my advice to the party now is clear, which is we need to prioritize the country, not our internal matters.
We were given a major victory last July, a important opportunity to improve our country. And we have a historic duty.
Economic Update
Separately, official figures revealed the British economic performance increased by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the industrial sector especially impacted by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover hack.
The Day's Schedule
- 9.30am: NHS England releases its monthly data
- Morning: Wes Streeting is visiting Liverpool
- Today: Rachel Reeves speaks to the media
- Late morning: Downing Street holds its daily media briefing
- Today: Keir Starmer promotes government plans for the Britain's pioneering small modular reactor facility at Wylfa on Anglesey
