Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Move On After Keir Starmer Apologises to Streeting for Hostile Media Leaks
High-ranking Labour Party figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has urged the party to move beyond party conflicts after leader Keir Starmer directly apologised to health minister Wes Streeting MP over damaging leaked comments linked to Downing Street.
Key Developments
- Miliband states Starmer will fire the No 10 staffer behind for attacking Streeting if identified
- Miliband dismisses any leadership ambitions, declaring his past experience as Labour leader was the "best inoculation" against desiring the role again
- British economic growth increased by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, hit by the Jaguar Land Rover hack
Context
The internal controversy started after reports emerged about hostile briefings from the Prime Minister's allies targeting the Health Secretary. Despite initial attempts to downplay the situation, the discussion between Starmer and Streeting reportedly followed a more serious turn.
The Prime Minister expressed regret to Streeting, reporters have been told. The exchange was concise, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under pressure to remove.
The Energy Secretary's Statement
In his morning broadcast interviews, Miliband emphasized the need for the Labour Party to focus on national priorities rather than party disputes.
Look, I think the backgrounding has been unhelpful, without doubt.
But my call to the Labour party now is straightforward, which is we need to concentrate on the public, not ourselves.
We were given a significant victory last July, a historic opportunity to transform our country. And we have a serious obligation.
Growth Update
Separately, government statistics showed the British economy increased by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the industrial industry particularly hit by the recent Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.
The Day's Agenda
- 9.30am: The National Health Service issues its latest performance figures
- Today: The Health Secretary visits the Liverpool area
- Morning: The Chancellor makes comments to the media
- Late morning: Downing Street conducts its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer announces government plans for the Britain's pioneering nuclear power plant at Wylfa site on Anglesey
