Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Urges Labour to Look Ahead Following Starmer Offers Apology to Streeting for Hostile Media Leaks
Senior Labour figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has urged the party to put aside internal conflicts after leader Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over damaging media stories originating from Downing Street.
Important Updates
- Ed Miliband confirms the Prime Minister will sack the Downing Street official behind for briefing against Streeting if found
- Miliband dismisses any party leader plans, stating his previous time as leader was the "strongest inoculation" against seeking the position again
- UK economic growth expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, affected by the JLR cyber-attack
Context
The internal unrest began after reports circulated about hostile briefings from Starmer's supporters targeting the Health Secretary. Despite early efforts to minimize the incident, the conversation between Starmer and Streeting according to sources took a more serious direction.
The Prime Minister expressed regret to Streeting, journalists have been informed. The conversation was concise, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under increasing scrutiny to dismiss.
The Energy Secretary's Reaction
In his morning media interviews, Ed Miliband emphasized the need for the party to focus on national priorities rather than party disputes.
Look, I think the backgrounding has been damaging, certainly.
But my call to the Labour members today is quite simple, which is we need to focus on the nation, not ourselves.
We were given a major victory last summer, a major chance to change our nation. And we have a serious duty.
Economic News
In other news, official statistics revealed the UK economy increased by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the industrial industry especially impacted by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover hack.
The Day's Agenda
- 9.30am: NHS England issues its latest performance figures
- Today: The Health Secretary is visiting Liverpool
- Morning: Rachel Reeves speaks to the press
- Late morning: Number 10 conducts its daily lobby briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer promotes plans for the Britain's first nuclear power project at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
