Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Focus Forward After Keir Starmer Apologises to Streeting for Negative Briefings
Senior Labour Party official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to put aside party disputes after leader Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting MP over negative briefings coming from Number 10.
Major Updates
- Miliband confirms Starmer will sack the Downing Street source behind for attacking Wes Streeting if identified
- Miliband rejects any party leader ambitions, saying his previous experience as leader was the "most effective inoculation" against desiring the position again
- British economic growth expanded by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, hit by the JLR hack
Context
The political turmoil started after allegations circulated about negative background comments from the Prime Minister's allies targeting Streeting. Despite initial attempts to downplay the situation, the discussion between Starmer and the health minister apparently followed a more serious turn.
The Prime Minister said sorry to Wes Streeting, journalists have been advised. The discussion was short, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under pressure to dismiss.
Miliband's Reaction
In his early morning media interviews, Miliband highlighted the need for the Labour Party to concentrate on country-wide priorities rather than internal disputes.
Look, I think the media briefing has been bad, certainly.
But my call to the Labour party today is quite simple, which is we need to concentrate on the country, not each other.
We were given a significant victory last July, a historic chance to change our country. And we have a serious duty.
Growth News
Separately, official figures showed the UK economy increased by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the manufacturing industry particularly hit by the recent Jaguar Land Rover hack.
The Day's Schedule
- 9.30am: The National Health Service releases its latest statistics
- Today: The Health Secretary is visiting Liverpool
- Today: Rachel Reeves speaks to the press
- Late morning: Downing Street conducts its regular media briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer announces government plans for the Britain's first nuclear power plant at Wylfa on Anglesey
