Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Look Ahead After Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Negative Backgrounding
Senior Labour Party figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has urged the party to move beyond party disputes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer directly said sorry to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over negative briefings originating from Downing Street.
Major Developments
- Ed Miliband confirms the Prime Minister will dismiss the Downing Street official responsible for targeting Wes Streeting if identified
- The Energy Secretary rules out future leadership ambitions, declaring his past experience as leader was the "strongest inoculation" against seeking the role again
- UK economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, impacted by the Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack
Context
The internal unrest erupted after allegations emerged about critical background comments from Starmer's supporters targeting Streeting. Despite early efforts to minimize the situation, the conversation between the PM and Streeting apparently followed a more serious direction.
Starmer apologised to Wes Streeting, reporters have been advised. The discussion was short, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under pressure to dismiss.
The Energy Secretary's Response
In his morning media appearances, Ed Miliband highlighted the need for the Labour Party to focus on country-wide issues rather than internal divisions.
Look, I think the backgrounding has been unhelpful, certainly.
But my advice to the Labour party today is quite simple, which is we need to prioritize the country, not ourselves.
We were given a major mandate last July, a important chance to transform our nation. And we have a serious duty.
Economic Update
Meanwhile, government figures revealed the UK economic performance expanded by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the production sector particularly hit by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover hack.
The Day's Schedule
- Morning: NHS England issues its latest performance figures
- Today: The Health Secretary visits the Liverpool area
- Today: Rachel Reeves speaks to the journalists
- 11.30am: Number 10 holds its daily lobby briefing
- Today: The Prime Minister promotes government plans for the Britain's first small modular reactor project at Wylfa on Anglesey
