Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Look Ahead After Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Wes Streeting for Negative Backgrounding
Senior Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to move beyond party disputes after leader Keir Starmer directly said sorry to health minister Wes Streeting MP over hostile briefings coming from Downing Street.
Key Developments
- Miliband declares Starmer will dismiss the No 10 source responsible for attacking Wes Streeting if found
- The Energy Secretary dismisses any leadership aspirations, declaring his previous experience as leader was the "strongest protection" against wanting the position again
- British economic growth increased by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, affected by the JLR security breach
Situation
The internal unrest started after allegations circulated about hostile background comments from the Prime Minister's allies targeting the Health Secretary. Despite early efforts to downplay the incident, the talk between Starmer and the health minister apparently followed a more serious direction.
Starmer apologised to Wes Streeting, the media have been advised. The exchange was short, and they did not address Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under increasing scrutiny to dismiss.
Miliband's Reaction
In his early morning broadcast appearances, Ed Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to focus on national priorities rather than party conflicts.
Clearly, I think the media briefing has been unhelpful, certainly.
But my message to the party today is quite simple, which is we need to prioritize the country, not each other.
We were given a historic election win last July, a important chance to improve our nation. And we have a historic duty.
Economic News
Separately, government statistics revealed the British economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the production sector particularly impacted by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover hack.
Today's Schedule
- Morning: The National Health Service issues its latest statistics
- Today: The Health Secretary is visiting Liverpool
- Today: The Chancellor makes comments to the press
- 11.30am: Number 10 holds its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister promotes government plans for the Britain's pioneering nuclear power plant at Wylfa on the island of Anglesey
