Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Urges the Labour Party to Look Ahead Following Starmer Offers Apology to Streeting for Aggressive Briefings
High-ranking Labour official Ed Miliband has called for the party to move beyond party conflicts after Prime Minister Keir Starmer directly apologised to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over negative briefings coming from Number 10.
Major Updates
- Miliband declares Starmer will dismiss the Downing Street official behind for targeting Wes Streeting if found
- Miliband rules out any leadership plans, stating his past time as leader was the "best vaccine" against desiring the role again
- UK economic growth expanded by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, impacted by the JLR cyber-attack
Background
The political turmoil began after reports emerged about critical background comments from Starmer's supporters targeting Streeting. Although initial efforts to minimize the incident, the discussion between the PM and the health minister according to sources took a more serious turn.
The Prime Minister said sorry to Wes Streeting, journalists have been advised. The conversation was brief, and they did not address the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under increasing scrutiny to dismiss.
Miliband's Reaction
In his morning media interviews, Miliband highlighted the need for the Labour Party to focus on country-wide priorities rather than party disputes.
Look, I think the media briefing has been unhelpful, certainly.
But my advice to the Labour members today is clear, which is we need to focus on the country, not ourselves.
We were given a historic mandate last July, a important opportunity to improve our country. And we have a major responsibility.
Economic Update
Separately, government data indicated the British economic performance increased by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, with the manufacturing sector especially affected by the recent Jaguar Land Rover hack.
Today's Agenda
- 9.30am: NHS England issues its latest performance figures
- Morning: Wes Streeting visits Liverpool
- Today: Rachel Reeves makes comments to the press
- 11.30am: Downing Street holds its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer announces plans for the Britain's pioneering small modular reactor facility at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey