Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Focus Forward Following Starmer Offers Apology to Streeting for Negative Briefings
High-ranking Labour Party figure Ed Miliband has called for the party to put aside internal disputes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer personally apologised to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over damaging briefings originating from Downing Street.
Important Developments
- Miliband confirms Starmer will dismiss the Downing Street staffer responsible for attacking Wes Streeting if found
- The Energy Secretary rejects any party leader aspirations, saying his past time as Labour leader was the "most effective protection" against desiring the position again
- British economy expanded by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, impacted by the JLR security breach
Context
The internal unrest started after media stories emerged about critical background comments from Starmer's allies targeting Streeting. Although initial attempts to minimize the incident, the conversation between Starmer and Streeting apparently followed a more serious direction.
The Prime Minister said sorry to Wes Streeting, the media have been told. The exchange was brief, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under growing pressure to sack.
The Energy Secretary's Response
In his early morning broadcast interviews, Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to direct attention on country-wide issues rather than party divisions.
Clearly, I think the media briefing has been bad, certainly.
But my call to the party now is straightforward, which is we need to prioritize the nation, not our internal matters.
We were given a historic mandate last July, a important chance to change our country. And we have a serious responsibility.
Economic News
Meanwhile, government figures indicated the UK economy increased by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the manufacturing industry particularly affected by the recently reported JLR hack.
Today's Agenda
- 9.30am: The National Health Service releases its latest performance figures
- Morning: Wes Streeting visits Liverpool
- Morning: The Chancellor makes comments to the press
- Late morning: Downing Street holds its regular lobby briefing
- Today: The Prime Minister promotes government plans for the Britain's pioneering small modular reactor project at Wylfa on Anglesey