Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Urges the Labour Party to Look Ahead Following Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Aggressive Briefings
High-ranking Labour figure Ed Miliband has called for the party to leave behind internal tensions after leader Sir Keir Starmer personally apologised to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over hostile leaked comments coming from Downing Street.
Key Events
- Miliband declares Starmer will dismiss the No 10 source responsible for attacking Streeting if found
- The Energy Secretary rejects future party leader plans, saying his past experience as leader was the "best protection" against seeking the position again
- British economy increased by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, hit by the JLR security breach
Context
The internal unrest started after media stories circulated about critical background comments from the Prime Minister's team targeting the Health Secretary. Although initial efforts to downplay the situation, the conversation between Starmer and Streeting reportedly followed a different turn.
The Prime Minister said sorry to Streeting, journalists have been informed. The conversation was concise, and they did not discuss the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under pressure to sack.
The Energy Secretary's Reaction
In his early morning broadcast appearances, Ed Miliband highlighted the need for the Labour Party to concentrate on national matters rather than party divisions.
Look, I think the backgrounding has been unhelpful, without doubt.
But my message to the Labour party now is straightforward, which is we need to prioritize the country, not our internal matters.
We were given a historic election win last July, a major chance to improve our nation. And we have a historic responsibility.
Economic Update
Separately, official statistics revealed the UK economy increased by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, with the production industry especially affected by the recently reported JLR hack.
The Day's Agenda
- Morning: NHS England releases its monthly performance figures
- Today: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
- Morning: Rachel Reeves speaks to the journalists
- Late morning: Downing Street holds its daily lobby briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister highlights plans for the UK's pioneering nuclear power facility at Wylfa on the island of Anglesey