Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Urges Labour to Focus Forward Following Keir Starmer Offers Apology to Streeting for Aggressive Media Leaks
High-ranking Labour Party official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has demanded the party to put aside party tensions after leader Sir Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting over negative leaked comments coming from Downing Street.
Key Events
- Ed Miliband declares the Prime Minister will dismiss the No 10 staffer behind for briefing against Wes Streeting if found
- Miliband dismisses future party leader plans, saying his previous experience as leader was the "strongest protection" against wanting the position again
- UK economic growth increased by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, hit by the Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack
Context
The internal turmoil started after allegations surfaced about hostile briefings from Starmer's allies targeting Streeting. Despite initial attempts to dismiss the incident, the discussion between Starmer and the health minister according to sources took a different direction.
The Prime Minister said sorry to Wes Streeting, the media have been told. The exchange was short, and they did not address Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under pressure to dismiss.
Miliband's Reaction
In his morning broadcast interviews, Miliband highlighted the need for the Labour Party to concentrate on national priorities rather than internal disputes.
Look, I think the briefing has been bad, certainly.
But my advice to the Labour party now is straightforward, which is we need to focus on the nation, not our internal matters.
We were given a significant election win last July, a major opportunity to change our nation. And we have a historic responsibility.
Economic News
Meanwhile, official data showed the UK economy increased by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the industrial sector especially hit by the recent JLR cyber-attack.
The Day's Schedule
- Morning: NHS England publishes its monthly performance figures
- Today: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
- Morning: Rachel Reeves makes comments to the press
- 11.30am: Downing Street conducts its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer announces government plans for the Britain's pioneering nuclear power facility at Wylfa site on Anglesey
