Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Focus Forward After Starmer Apologises to Streeting for Hostile Backgrounding
Senior Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has demanded the party to put aside party conflicts after PM Sir Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting MP over hostile leaked comments originating from Downing Street.
Key Updates
- Miliband declares Starmer will dismiss the Downing Street official behind for attacking Wes Streeting if identified
- The Energy Secretary rejects any party leader plans, saying his past time as leader was the "best protection" against seeking the role again
- UK economic growth increased by just 0.1% in the July-September period, impacted by the Jaguar Land Rover security breach
Situation
The political turmoil started after reports surfaced about negative background comments from the Prime Minister's team targeting Streeting. Despite initial attempts to dismiss the matter, the talk between Starmer and the health minister apparently followed a different direction.
The Prime Minister said sorry to Streeting, journalists have been informed. The conversation was brief, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under growing pressure to sack.
The Energy Secretary's Reaction
In his morning broadcast appearances, Miliband emphasized the need for the Labour Party to focus on national priorities rather than party divisions.
Look, I think the briefing has been damaging, certainly.
But my call to the party now is straightforward, which is we need to concentrate on the public, not ourselves.
We were given a significant victory last July, a major chance to improve our nation. And we have a major duty.
Growth News
Separately, official statistics showed the British economy expanded by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the industrial sector particularly affected by the recent Jaguar Land Rover security incident.
The Day's Schedule
- 9.30am: The National Health Service issues its monthly data
- Morning: The Health Secretary is visiting Liverpool
- Morning: The Chancellor speaks to the media
- Late morning: Number 10 conducts its regular lobby briefing
- Today: The Prime Minister highlights government plans for the UK's first small modular reactor project at Wylfa site on Anglesey
