Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Urges Labour to Focus Forward After Starmer Offers Apology to Streeting for Negative Backgrounding
Senior Labour figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has urged the party to move beyond party tensions after Prime Minister Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over negative leaked comments originating from Downing Street.
Key Events
- Ed Miliband declares the Prime Minister will dismiss the Downing Street official responsible for targeting Wes Streeting if found
- The Energy Secretary rules out any party leader aspirations, saying his past experience as leader was the "most effective protection" against wanting the role again
- British economy expanded by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, affected by the JLR cyber-attack
Situation
The internal turmoil started after reports circulated about negative briefings from the Prime Minister's supporters targeting the Health Secretary. Although early attempts to downplay the incident, the discussion between Starmer and the health minister reportedly followed a different direction.
The Prime Minister apologised to Wes Streeting, reporters have been informed. The exchange was short, and they did not address the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under increasing scrutiny to dismiss.
Miliband's Reaction
In his early morning media appearances, Ed Miliband emphasized the need for the Labour Party to concentrate on national matters rather than internal disputes.
Clearly, I think the briefing has been damaging, without doubt.
But my advice to the party now is quite simple, which is we need to focus on the country, not each other.
We were given a major mandate last July, a historic chance to transform our country. And we have a historic obligation.
Economic News
Meanwhile, official statistics showed the UK economy increased by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, with the industrial industry especially hit by the recent JLR hack.
The Day's Agenda
- 9.30am: The National Health Service releases its monthly data
- Today: Wes Streeting is visiting Liverpool
- Morning: The Chancellor makes comments to the press
- 11.30am: Downing Street conducts its regular lobby briefing
- Today: The Prime Minister promotes plans for the Britain's first small modular reactor project at Wylfa site on Anglesey
