Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Urges Labour to Look Ahead After Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Wes Streeting for Aggressive Backgrounding
Senior Labour Party official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has urged the party to put aside internal conflicts after PM Keir Starmer personally apologised to health minister Wes Streeting over negative leaked comments coming from Number 10.
Key Developments
- Miliband declares the Prime Minister will fire the Downing Street official responsible for targeting Streeting if discovered
- Miliband rejects any leadership plans, declaring his past time as leader was the "strongest protection" against desiring the role again
- UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, impacted by the Jaguar Land Rover security breach
Situation
The political turmoil began after allegations surfaced about critical background comments from the Prime Minister's team targeting the Health Secretary. Although initial attempts to dismiss the incident, the conversation between the PM and Streeting reportedly followed a more serious turn.
The Prime Minister said sorry to Streeting, reporters have been told. The discussion was concise, and they did not address Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under increasing scrutiny to sack.
Miliband's Reaction
In his early morning broadcast interviews, Ed Miliband highlighted the need for the party to direct attention on national matters rather than party disputes.
Clearly, I think the media briefing has been bad, no question.
But my advice to the Labour members today is straightforward, which is we need to prioritize the country, not our internal matters.
We were given a major election win last summer, a important opportunity to change our country. And we have a serious obligation.
Growth News
In other news, official figures showed the UK economic performance expanded by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, with the manufacturing industry particularly impacted by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.
The Day's Agenda
- Morning: NHS England publishes its latest statistics
- Morning: The Health Secretary visits the Liverpool area
- Morning: The Chancellor speaks to the media
- Late morning: Number 10 holds its daily media briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer highlights plans for the UK's first nuclear power project at Wylfa on Anglesey
