Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Focus Forward After Keir Starmer Offers Apology to Wes Streeting for Hostile Briefings
High-ranking Labour Party official Ed Miliband has called for the party to put aside internal tensions after Prime Minister Keir Starmer directly said sorry to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over negative media stories originating from the Prime Minister's office.
Major Events
- Miliband states Starmer will sack the No 10 official responsible for briefing against Wes Streeting if identified
- The Energy Secretary rules out future party leader ambitions, stating his past time as Labour leader was the "best protection" against wanting the position again
- British economic growth grew by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, hit by the Jaguar Land Rover hack
Context
The political controversy started after reports circulated about critical background comments from the Prime Minister's allies targeting Streeting. Despite initial attempts to dismiss the matter, the conversation between the PM and the health minister apparently followed a more serious turn.
Starmer said sorry to Streeting, journalists have been told. The exchange was concise, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under increasing scrutiny to dismiss.
Miliband's Statement
In his morning media appearances, Miliband highlighted the need for the Labour Party to concentrate on national issues rather than internal divisions.
Clearly, I think the media briefing has been unhelpful, without doubt.
But my advice to the party today is quite simple, which is we need to focus on the public, not ourselves.
We were given a major victory last July, a historic chance to improve our country. And we have a historic obligation.
Economic Update
In other news, government data revealed the British economy grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the manufacturing industry especially impacted by the recently reported JLR cyber-attack.
The Day's Schedule
- 9.30am: The National Health Service publishes its latest data
- Today: Wes Streeting visits Liverpool
- Today: The Chancellor makes comments to the media
- 11.30am: Number 10 holds its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister announces government plans for the UK's pioneering small modular reactor plant at Wylfa on Anglesey