Ed Miliband Urges Labour to Move On After Keir Starmer Apologises to Streeting for Aggressive Briefings
High-ranking Labour figure Ed Miliband has urged the party to move beyond party tensions after leader Sir Keir Starmer directly apologised to health minister Wes Streeting MP over negative media stories coming from Downing Street.
Key Events
- Ed Miliband confirms the Prime Minister will dismiss the Downing Street source responsible for briefing against Wes Streeting if found
- Miliband dismisses future party leader ambitions, declaring his previous time as Labour leader was the "most effective vaccine" against desiring the role again
- UK economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, impacted by the JLR cyber-attack
Situation
The internal controversy erupted after allegations surfaced about negative briefings from Starmer's allies targeting the Health Secretary. Although early attempts to downplay the incident, the discussion between Starmer and Streeting according to sources followed a more serious direction.
Starmer expressed regret to Wes Streeting, reporters have been told. The discussion was brief, and they did not discuss the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under growing pressure to dismiss.
The Energy Secretary's Reaction
In his early morning broadcast appearances, Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to direct attention on national priorities rather than party divisions.
Look, I think the media briefing has been damaging, no question.
But my message to the Labour party now is straightforward, which is we need to focus on the public, not each other.
We were given a historic mandate last July, a historic chance to change our nation. And we have a major responsibility.
Growth Update
Separately, government statistics revealed the UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the production industry particularly impacted by the recently reported JLR security incident.
Today's Agenda
- Morning: NHS England issues its monthly performance figures
- Today: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
- Morning: The Chancellor makes comments to the media
- Late morning: Downing Street conducts its regular media briefing
- Today: Keir Starmer promotes plans for the UK's pioneering nuclear power facility at Wylfa site on Anglesey
