Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Look Ahead Following Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Wes Streeting for Aggressive Briefings
Senior Labour Party official Ed Miliband has called for the party to move beyond internal conflicts after PM Sir Keir Starmer personally said sorry to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over hostile media stories originating from Number 10.
Key Developments
- Ed Miliband confirms Starmer will fire the Downing Street staffer behind for briefing against Streeting if identified
- The Energy Secretary dismisses any party leader aspirations, saying his previous experience as Labour leader was the "strongest protection" against wanting the role again
- UK economy grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, affected by the Jaguar Land Rover hack
Background
The internal controversy erupted after allegations circulated about critical background comments from the Prime Minister's allies targeting Streeting. Despite early efforts to downplay the matter, the talk between the PM and the health minister apparently took a more serious direction.
Starmer apologised to Wes Streeting, journalists have been advised. The conversation was brief, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under pressure to remove.
Miliband's Statement
In his early morning broadcast appearances, Ed Miliband emphasized the need for the Labour Party to concentrate on national matters rather than internal conflicts.
Clearly, I think the briefing has been unhelpful, certainly.
But my advice to the Labour party today is clear, which is we need to prioritize the country, not each other.
We were given a significant election win last summer, a historic opportunity to change our nation. And we have a historic duty.
Economic Update
In other news, government data revealed the British economic performance expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the manufacturing sector especially hit by the recent JLR hack.
Today's Agenda
- Morning: The National Health Service releases its monthly statistics
- Today: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
- Today: Rachel Reeves speaks to the press
- 11.30am: Number 10 conducts its regular media briefing
- Today: The Prime Minister highlights government plans for the UK's pioneering small modular reactor plant at Wylfa on Anglesey
