Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Encourages Labour to Move On Following Starmer Apologises to Streeting for Aggressive Briefings
High-ranking Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to move beyond party disputes after leader Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting over negative briefings linked to the Prime Minister's office.
Key Updates
- Miliband declares the Prime Minister will dismiss the No 10 staffer behind for briefing against Streeting if identified
- Miliband rules out future party leader ambitions, declaring his past experience as Labour leader was the "best protection" against seeking the role again
- UK economic growth grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, hit by the JLR hack
Context
The internal turmoil began after allegations circulated about critical background comments from Starmer's supporters targeting Streeting. Despite early attempts to downplay the incident, the talk between the PM and Streeting apparently followed a more serious direction.
Starmer apologised to Wes Streeting, reporters have been informed. The exchange was brief, and they did not talk about Morgan McSweeney, 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 party to focus on country-wide issues rather than internal divisions.
Clearly, I think the briefing has been damaging, certainly.
But my message to the Labour party now is straightforward, which is we need to prioritize the nation, not ourselves.
We were given a significant mandate last July, a historic opportunity to improve our nation. And we have a serious responsibility.
Growth Update
Meanwhile, official statistics showed the British economy grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the industrial sector especially affected by the recent JLR security incident.
The Day's Schedule
- Morning: The National Health Service publishes its monthly data
- Morning: Wes Streeting visits the Liverpool area
- Today: The Chancellor speaks to the journalists
- 11.30am: Downing Street holds its daily lobby briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer promotes plans for the UK's pioneering nuclear power plant at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
