Ed Miliband Encourages Labour to Focus Forward Following Starmer Apologises to Streeting for Hostile Backgrounding
High-ranking Labour figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to move beyond internal conflicts after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over negative media stories linked to Number 10.
Key Updates
- Ed Miliband confirms Starmer will fire the Downing Street staffer behind for briefing against Streeting if discovered
- The Energy Secretary dismisses any party leader ambitions, stating his past time as leader was the "most effective inoculation" against seeking the role again
- British economy grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, hit by the JLR hack
Context
The internal controversy started after reports emerged about hostile briefings from the Prime Minister's allies targeting the Health Secretary. Although early attempts to downplay the matter, the discussion between Starmer and Streeting apparently took a different turn.
The Prime Minister expressed regret to Streeting, journalists have been advised. The discussion was short, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under increasing scrutiny to sack.
The Energy Secretary's Response
In his morning media appearances, Miliband emphasized the need for the party to concentrate on national matters rather than party conflicts.
Clearly, I think the media briefing has been damaging, without doubt.
But my call to the Labour party now is quite simple, which is we need to focus on the nation, not our internal matters.
We were given a major victory last summer, a historic chance to improve our nation. And we have a historic duty.
Growth Update
Meanwhile, official statistics revealed the UK economy grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the production industry especially affected by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover security incident.
Today's Schedule
- 9.30am: The National Health Service publishes its monthly data
- Today: Wes Streeting is visiting the Liverpool area
- Today: The Chancellor speaks to the journalists
- 11.30am: Number 10 holds its regular media briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister announces plans for the UK's pioneering nuclear power project at Wylfa on the island of Anglesey
