Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Encourages Labour to Move On Following Starmer Apologises to Wes Streeting for Negative Backgrounding
High-ranking Labour official Ed Miliband has urged the party to move beyond internal conflicts after PM Sir Keir Starmer personally apologised to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over negative briefings originating from Downing Street.
Major Updates
- Miliband declares Starmer will fire the No 10 source responsible for briefing against Wes Streeting if discovered
- The Energy Secretary dismisses any party leader aspirations, stating his past experience as leader was the "best protection" against seeking the position again
- UK economic growth grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, hit by the JLR hack
Background
The political unrest started after reports surfaced about negative background comments from Starmer's team targeting the Health Secretary. Although early efforts to dismiss the matter, the discussion between the PM and Streeting apparently followed a more serious turn.
Starmer apologised to Wes Streeting, reporters have been advised. The discussion was short, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under pressure to dismiss.
The Energy Secretary's Statement
In his morning media appearances, Ed Miliband stressed the need for the party to direct attention on national matters rather than party conflicts.
Look, I think the briefing has been unhelpful, without doubt.
But my advice to the Labour party today is clear, which is we need to focus on the nation, not each other.
We were given a major mandate last summer, a important opportunity to change our country. And we have a major responsibility.
Economic Update
In other news, government figures indicated the UK economy increased by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the manufacturing industry especially affected by the recently reported JLR security incident.
The Day's Schedule
- Morning: The National Health Service releases its latest performance figures
- Today: The Health Secretary visits the Liverpool area
- Today: The Chancellor makes comments to the media
- Late morning: Downing Street holds its regular media briefing
- Today: Keir Starmer promotes plans for the Britain's pioneering small modular reactor project at Wylfa on Anglesey
