Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Look Ahead Following Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Hostile Backgrounding
High-ranking Labour figure Ed Miliband has called for the party to move beyond party tensions after PM Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting MP over hostile briefings coming from Downing Street.
Major Updates
- Miliband declares the Prime Minister will fire the Downing Street official behind for briefing against Wes Streeting if identified
- Miliband dismisses any party leader aspirations, saying his past experience as Labour leader was the "most effective vaccine" against desiring the role again
- British economic growth grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, affected by the Jaguar Land Rover hack
Situation
The internal controversy started after reports surfaced about negative background comments from Starmer's allies targeting Streeting. Despite initial attempts to dismiss the incident, the talk between Starmer and Streeting reportedly followed a different direction.
The Prime Minister said sorry to Streeting, reporters have been told. The discussion was short, and they did not talk about Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under growing pressure to sack.
The Energy Secretary's Response
In his morning broadcast interviews, Ed Miliband emphasized the need for the party to concentrate on national issues rather than internal divisions.
Look, I think the briefing has been bad, no question.
But my advice to the Labour members today is quite simple, which is we need to focus on the country, not our internal matters.
We were given a historic mandate last summer, a important chance to change our nation. And we have a serious responsibility.
Economic Update
Separately, government data indicated the British economy grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the industrial sector especially affected by the recent Jaguar Land Rover hack.
The Day's Agenda
- Morning: NHS England publishes its monthly performance figures
- Morning: Wes Streeting visits the Liverpool area
- Morning: The Chancellor speaks to the press
- 11.30am: Downing Street conducts its regular media briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer highlights government plans for the UK's first nuclear power project at Wylfa site on Anglesey
