Ed Miliband Encourages Labour to Focus Forward After Keir Starmer Apologises to Streeting for Aggressive Media Leaks
Senior Labour figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to move beyond internal tensions after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer directly apologised to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over negative media stories originating from Downing Street.
Major Developments
- Ed Miliband states Starmer will sack the No 10 official behind for briefing against Streeting if identified
- The Energy Secretary dismisses any leadership ambitions, declaring his past experience as leader was the "strongest inoculation" against wanting the role again
- UK economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, affected by the JLR security breach
Context
The political turmoil began after allegations emerged about hostile briefings from the Prime Minister's supporters targeting the Health Secretary. Despite early attempts to minimize the situation, the talk between Starmer and the health minister reportedly took a different direction.
Starmer expressed regret to Wes Streeting, the media have been informed. The discussion was short, and they did not address Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under increasing scrutiny to sack.
The Energy Secretary's Reaction
In his morning media appearances, Ed Miliband highlighted the need for the Labour Party to focus on country-wide issues rather than internal divisions.
Clearly, I think the backgrounding has been damaging, without doubt.
But my advice to the Labour party now is clear, which is we need to focus on the country, not ourselves.
We were given a historic victory last July, a important opportunity to change our nation. And we have a major obligation.
Growth Update
In other news, government figures showed the UK economic performance grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the production industry particularly affected by the recent Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.
Today's Schedule
- 9.30am: The National Health Service releases its latest data
- Today: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
- Today: The Chancellor makes comments to the press
- Late morning: Number 10 conducts its regular lobby briefing
- Today: The Prime Minister promotes government plans for the UK's pioneering nuclear power project at Wylfa site on Anglesey
