Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Focus Forward After Starmer Says Sorry to Wes Streeting for Negative Media Leaks
Senior Labour Party official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has urged the party to put aside party tensions after PM Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over damaging media stories originating from Downing Street.
Key Events
- Ed Miliband declares Starmer will dismiss the Downing Street source behind for briefing against Wes Streeting if identified
- Miliband rejects future party leader plans, declaring his past time as leader was the "most effective inoculation" against seeking the role again
- UK economic growth increased by just 0.1% in the July-September period, impacted by the JLR security breach
Situation
The internal turmoil started after allegations emerged about negative briefings from Starmer's allies targeting the Health Secretary. Despite early attempts to minimize the matter, the talk between the PM and the health minister apparently took a different turn.
Starmer expressed regret to Wes Streeting, reporters have been told. The exchange was concise, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under pressure to dismiss.
The Energy Secretary's Statement
In his morning broadcast appearances, Ed Miliband stressed the need for the party to direct attention on national priorities rather than internal conflicts.
Look, I think the briefing has been bad, without doubt.
But my advice to the party now is quite simple, which is we need to focus on the nation, not our internal matters.
We were given a major victory last July, a historic opportunity to transform our nation. And we have a major obligation.
Growth News
In other news, government data showed the British economy grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the industrial industry especially affected by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover security incident.
Today's Schedule
- 9.30am: NHS England releases its monthly data
- Morning: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
- Morning: The Chancellor makes comments to the press
- Late morning: Downing Street conducts its regular media briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister highlights government plans for the Britain's pioneering small modular reactor facility at Wylfa site on Anglesey
