Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Look Ahead After Starmer Offers Apology to Streeting for Hostile Media Leaks
Senior Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to leave behind party conflicts after leader Keir Starmer personally apologised to health minister Wes Streeting over negative media stories linked to Number 10.
Important Events
- Miliband confirms Starmer will fire the Downing Street staffer behind for briefing against Wes Streeting if discovered
- The Energy Secretary rules out any party leader aspirations, saying his past time as leader was the "strongest inoculation" against desiring the position again
- UK economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, hit by the JLR hack
Background
The internal unrest started after media stories emerged about hostile briefings from the Prime Minister's allies targeting the Health Secretary. Despite initial efforts to downplay the situation, the conversation between the PM and Streeting reportedly followed a more serious direction.
Starmer said sorry to Streeting, reporters have been told. The conversation was brief, and they did not discuss the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under pressure to sack.
The Energy Secretary's Response
In his morning broadcast interviews, Ed Miliband emphasized the need for the party to focus on national matters rather than party conflicts.
Look, I think the media briefing has been unhelpful, no question.
But my advice to the Labour members now is straightforward, which is we need to concentrate on the country, not ourselves.
We were given a significant mandate last summer, a historic chance to improve our country. And we have a major responsibility.
Economic News
Separately, official statistics revealed the British economy grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the industrial industry particularly hit by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover security incident.
The Day's Schedule
- Morning: The National Health Service releases its latest statistics
- Morning: Wes Streeting is visiting the Liverpool area
- Morning: Rachel Reeves speaks to the media
- Late morning: Downing Street conducts its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister highlights government plans for the Britain's pioneering nuclear power facility at Wylfa site on Anglesey
