Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Look Ahead After Starmer Offers Apology to Wes Streeting for Aggressive Media Leaks
High-ranking Labour figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to move beyond internal tensions after leader Keir Starmer directly said sorry to health minister Wes Streeting MP over negative media stories linked to Downing Street.
Important Events
- Ed Miliband confirms the Prime Minister will dismiss the No 10 official responsible for attacking Wes Streeting if discovered
- The Energy Secretary dismisses any leadership plans, declaring his previous experience as Labour leader was the "most effective vaccine" against wanting the role again
- UK economic growth increased by just 0.1% in the third quarter, hit by the Jaguar Land Rover security breach
Background
The internal turmoil began after media stories circulated about critical briefings from Starmer's supporters targeting Streeting. Although initial efforts to minimize the incident, the conversation between Starmer and the health minister apparently followed a different direction.
Starmer said sorry to Streeting, reporters have been advised. The discussion was short, and they did not discuss the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under pressure to sack.
Miliband's Statement
In his morning broadcast appearances, Miliband stressed the need for the party to concentrate on country-wide matters rather than party conflicts.
Clearly, I think the briefing has been damaging, no question.
But my call to the Labour party now is clear, which is we need to focus on the country, not ourselves.
We were given a major election win last July, a major chance to improve our nation. And we have a major duty.
Economic News
Separately, official figures indicated the UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the industrial sector particularly impacted by the recent JLR security incident.
Today's Agenda
- 9.30am: NHS England releases its latest performance figures
- Morning: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
- Morning: The Chancellor speaks to the journalists
- Late morning: Number 10 holds its daily lobby briefing
- Today: The Prime Minister announces government plans for the Britain's pioneering nuclear power plant at Wylfa on Anglesey