Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Look Ahead After Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Wes Streeting for Negative Media Leaks
Senior Labour figure Ed Miliband has demanded the party to move beyond internal conflicts after PM Sir Keir Starmer personally apologised to health minister Wes Streeting MP over damaging media stories originating from Number 10.
Key Events
- Ed Miliband declares Starmer will dismiss the Downing Street staffer responsible for briefing against Wes Streeting if identified
- The Energy Secretary rejects future leadership ambitions, declaring his past experience as Labour leader was the "strongest vaccine" against seeking the position again
- British economic growth increased by just 0.1% in the July-September period, hit by the Jaguar Land Rover security breach
Situation
The political unrest started after media stories emerged about hostile background comments from Starmer's allies targeting Streeting. Despite initial efforts to downplay the incident, the talk between the PM and the health minister reportedly took a more serious direction.
The Prime Minister apologised to Wes Streeting, journalists have been advised. The conversation was concise, and they did not address Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under pressure to sack.
Miliband's Response
In his early morning broadcast appearances, Miliband stressed the need for the party to direct attention on country-wide matters rather than internal disputes.
Look, I think the media briefing has been unhelpful, without doubt.
But my message to the party now is quite simple, which is we need to prioritize the public, not each other.
We were given a historic mandate last July, a major opportunity to improve our nation. And we have a major responsibility.
Economic Update
Meanwhile, government figures revealed the British economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, with the industrial industry especially impacted by the recent Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.
Today's Agenda
- Morning: NHS England publishes its monthly statistics
- Morning: Wes Streeting is visiting the Liverpool area
- Morning: Rachel Reeves speaks to the journalists
- 11.30am: Number 10 holds its daily lobby briefing
- Today: Keir Starmer announces government plans for the UK's pioneering small modular reactor project at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey