Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Look Ahead After Keir Starmer Offers Apology to Streeting for Negative Media Leaks
Senior Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has demanded the party to leave behind internal tensions after PM Sir Keir Starmer personally said sorry to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over hostile media stories linked to the Prime Minister's office.
Major Events
- Ed Miliband declares Starmer will fire the No 10 staffer responsible for attacking Streeting if discovered
- The Energy Secretary dismisses any party leader aspirations, stating his past time as Labour leader was the "strongest inoculation" against desiring the position again
- British economy expanded by just 0.1% in the third quarter, hit by the JLR security breach
Background
The political turmoil began after reports emerged about hostile briefings from Starmer's team targeting Streeting. Although early attempts to minimize the situation, the discussion between Starmer and Streeting apparently followed a more serious direction.
The Prime Minister apologised to Streeting, reporters have been told. The discussion was concise, and they did not talk about Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under growing pressure to sack.
The Energy Secretary's Statement
In his morning broadcast appearances, Ed Miliband highlighted the need for the party to concentrate on national matters rather than internal disputes.
Look, I think the media briefing has been unhelpful, certainly.
But my call to the Labour members today is quite simple, which is we need to concentrate on the public, not each other.
We were given a significant election win last July, a major chance to improve our nation. And we have a major duty.
Growth Update
Separately, government data indicated the UK economic performance expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the industrial sector especially impacted by the recent JLR hack.
The Day's Agenda
- Morning: The National Health Service releases its latest data
- Morning: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
- Morning: The Chancellor speaks to the journalists
- 11.30am: Downing Street conducts its daily lobby briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister promotes government plans for the Britain's first small modular reactor facility at Wylfa on Anglesey
