Ed Miliband Urges the Labour Party to Look Ahead After Keir Starmer Offers Apology to Streeting for Hostile Briefings
High-ranking Labour official Ed Miliband has urged the party to leave behind internal disputes after PM Keir Starmer personally said sorry to health minister Wes Streeting over damaging leaked comments coming from Downing Street.
Key Developments
- Miliband confirms Starmer will fire the No 10 staffer behind for briefing against Wes Streeting if identified
- The Energy Secretary rules out any leadership ambitions, stating his previous experience as leader was the "best protection" against seeking the role again
- UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the third quarter, impacted by the JLR hack
Context
The internal controversy started after reports surfaced about critical briefings from Starmer's team targeting the Health Secretary. Despite initial attempts to dismiss the situation, the discussion between Starmer and the health minister according to sources followed a different turn.
The Prime Minister expressed regret to Streeting, journalists have been advised. The exchange was concise, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under pressure to remove.
Miliband's Reaction
In his morning broadcast appearances, Miliband emphasized the need for the party to focus on country-wide priorities rather than internal divisions.
Look, I think the backgrounding has been bad, without doubt.
But my message to the party now is clear, which is we need to focus on the public, not ourselves.
We were given a major victory last July, a historic chance to improve our nation. And we have a major obligation.
Growth News
Meanwhile, official statistics indicated the UK economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, with the manufacturing industry especially hit by the recent Jaguar Land Rover security incident.
Today's Agenda
- 9.30am: The National Health Service publishes its monthly performance figures
- Morning: Wes Streeting is visiting the Liverpool area
- Today: The Chancellor speaks to the media
- Late morning: Downing Street holds its daily media briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer announces plans for the UK's pioneering nuclear power plant at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
