Ed Miliband Urges Labour to Focus Forward Following Starmer Offers Apology to Streeting for Negative Media Leaks
Senior Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to leave behind internal conflicts after PM Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over damaging briefings originating from the Prime Minister's office.
Key Updates
- Miliband confirms Starmer will sack the No 10 source responsible for attacking Wes Streeting if discovered
- Miliband rules out future party leader plans, stating his past experience as Labour leader was the "most effective inoculation" against wanting the role again
- British economy increased by just 0.1% in the July-September period, affected by the JLR security breach
Context
The political turmoil started after allegations surfaced about negative background comments from the Prime Minister's allies targeting the Health Secretary. Although early attempts to minimize the situation, the discussion between Starmer and the health minister according to sources followed a different direction.
The Prime Minister apologised to Streeting, reporters have been advised. The discussion was short, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under increasing scrutiny to remove.
The Energy Secretary's Response
In his early morning media interviews, Ed Miliband highlighted the need for the Labour Party to concentrate on country-wide issues rather than internal disputes.
Clearly, I think the media briefing has been unhelpful, no question.
But my message to the Labour party today is clear, which is we need to focus on the public, not our internal matters.
We were given a major mandate last summer, a major opportunity to improve our nation. And we have a historic obligation.
Growth Update
Separately, government figures showed the British economy expanded by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the manufacturing industry especially impacted by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover security incident.
Today's Schedule
- 9.30am: NHS England publishes its monthly performance figures
- Morning: Wes Streeting is visiting the Liverpool area
- Today: The Chancellor makes comments to the media
- Late morning: Number 10 conducts its regular media briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister highlights plans for the UK's pioneering small modular reactor project at Wylfa on Anglesey
