Ed Miliband Urges Labour to Look Ahead Following Starmer Offers Apology to Streeting for Hostile Backgrounding
Senior Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has urged the party to move beyond internal conflicts after leader Keir Starmer directly apologised to health minister Wes Streeting MP over damaging media stories coming from Downing Street.
Key Events
- Miliband states the Prime Minister will dismiss the Downing Street source responsible for briefing against Wes Streeting if found
- Miliband dismisses future leadership aspirations, stating his previous experience as Labour leader was the "most effective inoculation" against desiring the role again
- British economic growth grew by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, impacted by the Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack
Background
The internal controversy began after reports emerged about negative background comments from the Prime Minister's allies targeting Streeting. Despite early efforts to downplay the situation, the discussion between the PM and Streeting reportedly followed a different direction.
Starmer said sorry to Streeting, the media have been advised. The conversation was concise, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under increasing scrutiny to sack.
Miliband's Response
In his morning media appearances, Ed Miliband emphasized the need for the party to focus on national issues rather than internal conflicts.
Clearly, I think the briefing has been damaging, without doubt.
But my message to the party now is straightforward, which is we need to focus on the nation, not ourselves.
We were given a historic mandate last July, a important opportunity to improve our country. And we have a serious duty.
Economic News
Separately, official data indicated the British economic performance expanded by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the industrial sector particularly hit by the recently reported JLR cyber-attack.
Today's Schedule
- Morning: NHS England publishes its monthly performance figures
- Morning: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
- Today: Rachel Reeves speaks to the press
- 11.30am: Number 10 conducts its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister announces government plans for the UK's pioneering small modular reactor facility at Wylfa site on Anglesey
