Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Move On After Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Negative Briefings
Senior Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has urged the party to leave behind internal disputes after PM Sir Keir Starmer directly said sorry to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over negative leaked comments linked to Number 10.
Important Updates
- Miliband declares Starmer will sack the Downing Street source behind for targeting Wes Streeting if identified
- The Energy Secretary rejects any leadership aspirations, saying his past time as leader was the "most effective vaccine" against seeking the role again
- British economy increased by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, hit by the JLR hack
Context
The political controversy erupted after media stories surfaced about critical briefings from Starmer's supporters targeting Streeting. Although early efforts to dismiss the incident, the conversation between the PM and Streeting reportedly took a more serious turn.
Starmer expressed regret to Wes Streeting, the media have been advised. The exchange was brief, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under pressure to sack.
The Energy Secretary's Statement
In his morning media interviews, Ed Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to direct attention on country-wide issues rather than party disputes.
Clearly, I think the backgrounding has been damaging, certainly.
But my call to the party today is straightforward, which is we need to focus on the public, not our internal matters.
We were given a major mandate last July, a historic opportunity to transform our country. And we have a major duty.
Economic News
Meanwhile, government data showed the British economic performance grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the industrial sector especially affected by the recent Jaguar Land Rover security incident.
The Day's Schedule
- 9.30am: The National Health Service publishes its latest performance figures
- Today: Wes Streeting is visiting the Liverpool area
- Morning: Rachel Reeves speaks to the press
- 11.30am: Downing Street conducts its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer announces plans for the Britain's first nuclear power plant at Wylfa site on Anglesey
