Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Focus Forward Following Starmer Offers Apology to Streeting for Aggressive Briefings
High-ranking Labour figure Ed Miliband has urged the party to move beyond party conflicts after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer personally apologised to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over negative leaked comments linked to the Prime Minister's office.
Key Developments
- Ed Miliband confirms Starmer will fire the Downing Street staffer behind for attacking Streeting if discovered
- The Energy Secretary rules out future party leader ambitions, declaring his past time as leader was the "best vaccine" against desiring the role again
- UK economy grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, affected by the Jaguar Land Rover security breach
Context
The political controversy started after reports surfaced about hostile background comments from Starmer's supporters targeting Streeting. Despite early efforts to minimize the incident, the discussion between Starmer and Streeting reportedly took a more serious turn.
The Prime Minister said sorry to Streeting, the media have been informed. The conversation was short, and they did not talk about Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under pressure to sack.
Miliband's Response
In his morning broadcast appearances, Ed Miliband highlighted the need for the party to focus on national matters rather than party conflicts.
Look, I think the backgrounding has been damaging, without doubt.
But my call to the Labour party now is clear, which is we need to concentrate on the country, not our internal matters.
We were given a significant victory last July, a major chance to transform our country. And we have a major responsibility.
Growth Update
Meanwhile, government figures revealed the UK economic performance expanded by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, with the manufacturing industry particularly affected by the recently reported JLR hack.
The Day's Schedule
- 9.30am: NHS England releases its latest statistics
- Morning: Wes Streeting visits Liverpool
- Today: Rachel Reeves speaks to the media
- 11.30am: Downing Street holds its regular media briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer highlights plans for the Britain's pioneering nuclear power project at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
