Ed Miliband Urges Labour to Look Ahead After Starmer Apologises to Wes Streeting for Hostile Media Leaks
Senior Labour Party official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has urged the party to put aside party disputes after PM Sir Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over hostile leaked comments originating from Downing Street.
Key Developments
- Ed Miliband states Starmer will dismiss the No 10 official responsible for attacking Wes Streeting if identified
- Miliband rejects any party leader aspirations, saying his past experience as leader was the "strongest vaccine" against seeking the position again
- UK economic growth increased by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, hit by the JLR cyber-attack
Situation
The political unrest started after reports circulated about hostile briefings from the Prime Minister's allies targeting Streeting. Despite initial efforts to downplay the incident, the conversation between Starmer and Streeting reportedly followed a more serious turn.
The Prime Minister said sorry to Wes Streeting, the media have been informed. The conversation was brief, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under pressure to dismiss.
The Energy Secretary's Response
In his morning broadcast appearances, Miliband emphasized the need for the Labour Party to focus on national priorities rather than internal disputes.
Look, I think the backgrounding has been bad, no question.
But my advice to the Labour party today is clear, which is we need to prioritize the nation, not each other.
We were given a significant mandate last summer, a major chance to transform our country. And we have a major duty.
Growth News
Meanwhile, government data revealed the UK economic performance increased by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the production sector particularly affected by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover security incident.
The Day's Agenda
- 9.30am: NHS England issues its monthly performance figures
- Morning: The Health Secretary is visiting Liverpool
- Morning: Rachel Reeves makes comments to the media
- 11.30am: Number 10 holds its regular media briefing
- Today: Keir Starmer highlights plans for the UK's pioneering nuclear power project at Wylfa on the island of Anglesey
