Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Urges the Labour Party to Focus Forward Following Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Wes Streeting for Hostile Backgrounding
High-ranking Labour Party official Ed Miliband has urged the party to put aside internal disputes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer directly apologised to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over hostile briefings coming from Downing Street.
Key Updates
- Ed Miliband confirms the Prime Minister will dismiss the Downing Street official behind for attacking Streeting if identified
- Miliband rejects future leadership aspirations, saying his previous time as leader was the "best protection" against desiring the position again
- British economic growth increased by just 0.1% in the July-September period, hit by the JLR hack
Situation
The political controversy erupted after allegations circulated about critical background comments from the Prime Minister's allies targeting Streeting. Despite initial attempts to downplay the matter, the discussion between the PM and Streeting reportedly followed a more serious turn.
Starmer expressed regret to Streeting, journalists have been advised. The conversation was short, and they did not address the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under growing pressure to remove.
The Energy Secretary's Statement
In his early morning broadcast appearances, Miliband emphasized the need for the party to focus on national priorities rather than party divisions.
Clearly, I think the briefing has been damaging, without doubt.
But my call to the party today is clear, which is we need to concentrate on the public, not each other.
We were given a major mandate last summer, a historic chance to improve our country. And we have a major obligation.
Economic News
In other news, government data indicated the UK economic performance increased by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the production industry especially impacted by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover hack.
The Day's Agenda
- Morning: NHS England publishes its monthly data
- Today: Wes Streeting visits Liverpool
- Morning: Rachel Reeves makes comments to the press
- Late morning: Downing Street holds its regular lobby briefing
- Today: The Prime Minister announces government plans for the UK's pioneering small modular reactor project at Wylfa on Anglesey
