Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Focus Forward Following Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Negative Media Leaks
Senior Labour Party figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has urged the party to move beyond party disputes after leader Sir Keir Starmer personally apologised to health minister Wes Streeting MP over damaging media stories linked to the Prime Minister's office.
Important Updates
- Ed Miliband declares Starmer will sack the Downing Street official behind for attacking Streeting if identified
- Miliband dismisses future leadership aspirations, declaring his previous time as Labour leader was the "most effective protection" against wanting the position again
- UK economic growth grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, affected by the Jaguar Land Rover security breach
Context
The internal unrest started after reports circulated about negative background comments from the Prime Minister's supporters targeting the Health Secretary. Despite early efforts to minimize the incident, the talk between the PM and Streeting reportedly took a different direction.
The Prime Minister apologised to Wes Streeting, reporters have been informed. The discussion was concise, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under growing pressure to remove.
Miliband's Response
In his morning broadcast appearances, Ed Miliband stressed the need for the party to direct attention on country-wide issues rather than internal conflicts.
Look, I think the briefing has been unhelpful, without doubt.
But my message to the party today is clear, which is we need to prioritize the country, not ourselves.
We were given a major victory last summer, a major chance to improve our nation. And we have a historic responsibility.
Growth Update
Meanwhile, government statistics indicated the UK economy increased by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the industrial sector particularly hit by the recent Jaguar Land Rover security incident.
The Day's Agenda
- 9.30am: NHS England releases its monthly data
- Morning: Wes Streeting is visiting the Liverpool area
- Morning: Rachel Reeves makes comments to the media
- Late morning: Number 10 holds its daily lobby briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister highlights plans for the UK's first nuclear power facility at Wylfa site on Anglesey
