Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Calls on the Labour Party to Focus Forward Following Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Aggressive Media Leaks
Senior Labour figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has demanded the party to leave behind party tensions after leader Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting over hostile media stories originating from Number 10.
Major Updates
- Ed Miliband confirms the Prime Minister will sack the Downing Street staffer behind for attacking Wes Streeting if discovered
- The Energy Secretary dismisses any party leader plans, saying his previous experience as Labour leader was the "best inoculation" against desiring the position again
- UK economic growth increased by just 0.1% in the July-September period, hit by the Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack
Context
The political unrest began after allegations circulated about critical briefings from Starmer's supporters targeting the Health Secretary. Despite initial efforts to dismiss the incident, the discussion between the PM and the health minister apparently took a more serious turn.
Starmer said sorry to Wes Streeting, journalists have been advised. The exchange was brief, and they did not address Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under growing pressure to sack.
The Energy Secretary's Statement
In his early morning media appearances, Ed Miliband emphasized the need for the party to focus on country-wide issues rather than party conflicts.
Look, I think the backgrounding has been bad, no question.
But my advice to the Labour members today is quite simple, which is we need to focus on the public, not each other.
We were given a major victory last July, a major opportunity to change our nation. And we have a major responsibility.
Growth Update
Meanwhile, government statistics indicated the UK economy increased by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the production sector particularly affected by the recent Jaguar Land Rover hack.
The Day's Agenda
- Morning: NHS England releases its monthly performance figures
- Today: Wes Streeting is visiting Liverpool
- Morning: The Chancellor speaks to the press
- 11.30am: Number 10 holds its regular lobby briefing
- Today: Keir Starmer promotes plans for the Britain's first small modular reactor facility at Wylfa site on Anglesey
