Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Focus Forward Following Keir Starmer Apologises to Wes Streeting for Aggressive Briefings
High-ranking Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has urged the party to put aside party tensions after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer directly apologised to health minister Wes Streeting over damaging briefings linked to Downing Street.
Major Updates
- Ed Miliband confirms Starmer will dismiss the No 10 staffer behind for targeting Streeting if found
- The Energy Secretary dismisses any party leader aspirations, saying his previous experience as Labour leader was the "best vaccine" against desiring the role again
- British economy grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, impacted by the Jaguar Land Rover security breach
Situation
The political controversy started after allegations circulated about critical briefings from Starmer's supporters targeting the Health Secretary. Although initial efforts to downplay the matter, the discussion between the PM and Streeting reportedly followed a different turn.
The Prime Minister expressed regret to Wes Streeting, reporters have been advised. The exchange was brief, and they did not discuss the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under increasing scrutiny to remove.
Miliband's Statement
In his morning media appearances, Ed Miliband highlighted the need for the Labour Party to focus on country-wide issues rather than party conflicts.
Clearly, I think the media briefing has been damaging, no question.
But my call to the Labour party today is clear, which is we need to focus on the country, not each other.
We were given a significant mandate last summer, a important opportunity to improve our nation. And we have a serious obligation.
Growth News
In other news, government figures showed the British economic performance grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the manufacturing industry particularly hit by the recently reported JLR security incident.
The Day's Schedule
- Morning: The National Health Service publishes its latest data
- Morning: Wes Streeting visits Liverpool
- Today: Rachel Reeves makes comments to the journalists
- 11.30am: Number 10 conducts its daily lobby briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister promotes government plans for the UK's pioneering small modular reactor facility at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
