Ed Miliband Encourages Labour to Focus Forward Following Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Aggressive Media Leaks
Senior Labour figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has demanded the party to leave behind party tensions after PM Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting MP over negative briefings linked to the Prime Minister's office.
Key Events
- Ed Miliband confirms the Prime Minister will sack the No 10 official responsible for attacking Streeting if found
- Miliband rejects any leadership aspirations, stating his previous experience as leader was the "most effective protection" against seeking the position again
- UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, impacted by the JLR hack
Context
The internal unrest began after media stories surfaced about hostile briefings from Starmer's supporters targeting the Health Secretary. Despite early efforts to minimize the matter, the conversation between the PM and the health minister according to sources took a different turn.
Starmer said sorry to Wes Streeting, reporters have been informed. The conversation was concise, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under increasing scrutiny to remove.
Miliband's Reaction
In his morning media appearances, Ed Miliband emphasized the need for the Labour Party to direct attention on country-wide issues rather than party divisions.
Look, I think the backgrounding has been damaging, certainly.
But my advice to the Labour party today is quite simple, which is we need to concentrate on the nation, not each other.
We were given a significant election win last July, a historic opportunity to transform our nation. And we have a serious responsibility.
Growth Update
Separately, government figures showed the UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the production sector particularly hit by the recent Jaguar Land Rover security incident.
Today's Schedule
- Morning: The National Health Service releases its latest statistics
- Morning: Wes Streeting visits Liverpool
- Morning: The Chancellor makes comments to the press
- Late morning: Downing Street conducts its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer announces plans for the UK's pioneering small modular reactor plant at Wylfa site on Anglesey
