Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Urges Labour to Look Ahead Following Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Wes Streeting for Negative Backgrounding
High-ranking Labour figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has demanded the party to put aside internal tensions after leader Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting MP over negative media stories coming from the Prime Minister's office.
Important Updates
- Miliband confirms Starmer will fire the Downing Street source behind for targeting Wes Streeting if discovered
- Miliband rules out any party leader aspirations, saying his past time as leader was the "strongest inoculation" against seeking the role again
- British economic growth increased by just 0.1% in the July-September period, hit by the Jaguar Land Rover hack
Background
The political turmoil began after media stories circulated about critical briefings from Starmer's team targeting the Health Secretary. Despite initial attempts to minimize the matter, the conversation between the PM and Streeting according to sources took a different turn.
The Prime Minister expressed regret to Streeting, reporters have been told. The conversation was concise, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under increasing scrutiny to sack.
The Energy Secretary's Reaction
In his morning broadcast appearances, Miliband highlighted the need for the party to direct attention on national issues rather than internal divisions.
Clearly, I think the backgrounding has been damaging, no question.
But my advice to the party today is quite simple, which is we need to prioritize the nation, not each other.
We were given a historic election win last summer, a historic opportunity to improve our nation. And we have a historic responsibility.
Economic Update
In other news, official figures showed the British economic performance expanded by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the manufacturing industry especially impacted by the recently reported JLR cyber-attack.
The Day's Schedule
- 9.30am: The National Health Service releases its monthly data
- Morning: The Health Secretary visits the Liverpool area
- Morning: The Chancellor makes comments to the journalists
- 11.30am: Downing Street holds its daily media briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister announces government plans for the UK's pioneering nuclear power plant at Wylfa on Anglesey
