Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Look Ahead Following Starmer Offers Apology to Streeting for Hostile Backgrounding
High-ranking Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to move beyond internal conflicts after PM Keir Starmer personally said sorry to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over damaging media stories originating from Number 10.
Key Events
- Miliband states Starmer will fire the Downing Street staffer responsible for attacking Wes Streeting if discovered
- The Energy Secretary dismisses any leadership aspirations, declaring his past experience as Labour leader was the "best protection" against desiring the position again
- British economy increased by just 0.1% in the third quarter, hit by the JLR security breach
Background
The internal controversy started after allegations surfaced about negative background comments from Starmer's team targeting Streeting. Although early efforts to minimize the situation, the conversation between the PM and the health minister apparently took a more serious direction.
Starmer expressed regret to Wes Streeting, the media have been informed. The conversation was short, and they did not talk about Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under growing pressure to sack.
The Energy Secretary's Response
In his early morning broadcast appearances, Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to concentrate on national priorities rather than party disputes.
Look, I think the backgrounding has been damaging, without doubt.
But my message to the party today is clear, which is we need to focus on the nation, not each other.
We were given a major mandate last summer, a major chance to change our nation. And we have a serious duty.
Economic News
In other news, government figures showed the British economy grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the manufacturing sector especially impacted by the recent JLR security incident.
The Day's Agenda
- 9.30am: The National Health Service issues its monthly performance figures
- Today: The Health Secretary visits Liverpool
- Today: The Chancellor makes comments to the press
- 11.30am: Downing Street holds its daily media briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister promotes plans for the UK's pioneering small modular reactor project at Wylfa on Anglesey
