Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Focus Forward Following Keir Starmer Apologises to Streeting for Aggressive Media Leaks
Senior Labour Party official Ed Miliband has urged the party to move beyond party conflicts after PM Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over damaging media stories linked to Number 10.
Key Updates
- Miliband declares Starmer will dismiss the No 10 staffer responsible for briefing against Wes Streeting if discovered
- Miliband rules out future leadership plans, stating his previous time as leader was the "best inoculation" against desiring the position again
- British economic growth expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, hit by the JLR hack
Situation
The political unrest began after reports emerged about hostile briefings from Starmer's allies targeting Streeting. Although early efforts to minimize the incident, the talk between Starmer and the health minister apparently took a more serious direction.
The Prime Minister expressed regret to Wes Streeting, the media have been advised. The conversation was brief, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under pressure to dismiss.
Miliband's Reaction
In his early morning media interviews, Miliband emphasized the need for the party to focus on country-wide priorities rather than internal divisions.
Clearly, I think the briefing has been damaging, without doubt.
But my message to the party now is clear, which is we need to concentrate on the public, not our internal matters.
We were given a significant mandate last summer, a historic chance to improve our country. And we have a serious duty.
Economic Update
Separately, government figures indicated the British economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the manufacturing sector especially impacted by the recent Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.
Today's Schedule
- 9.30am: NHS England issues its latest statistics
- Morning: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
- Morning: Rachel Reeves speaks to the press
- 11.30am: Downing Street conducts its regular media briefing
- Today: Keir Starmer promotes government plans for the Britain's first small modular reactor facility at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
