Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Look Ahead After Starmer Apologises to Wes Streeting for Hostile Briefings
Senior Labour Party official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has demanded the party to leave behind internal tensions after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer personally said sorry to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over damaging briefings linked to Number 10.
Major Developments
- Miliband declares Starmer will dismiss the No 10 official responsible for targeting Wes Streeting if discovered
- The Energy Secretary rules out future party leader aspirations, stating his past experience as leader was the "best vaccine" against seeking the position again
- UK economy grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, affected by the Jaguar Land Rover security breach
Context
The internal turmoil began after reports surfaced about negative background comments from Starmer's supporters targeting the Health Secretary. Despite early attempts to dismiss the situation, the discussion between the PM and the health minister according to sources followed a more serious turn.
Starmer apologised to Wes Streeting, the media have been informed. The conversation was concise, and they did not address Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under pressure to remove.
The Energy Secretary's Reaction
In his early morning broadcast appearances, Miliband highlighted the need for the Labour Party to direct attention on country-wide matters rather than party divisions.
Look, I think the briefing has been damaging, no question.
But my call to the Labour members today is quite simple, which is we need to concentrate on the nation, not our internal matters.
We were given a significant mandate last July, a important opportunity to improve our country. And we have a major duty.
Economic Update
Meanwhile, government statistics revealed the British economic performance increased by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the production sector especially affected by the recently reported JLR hack.
The Day's Schedule
- 9.30am: NHS England releases its latest performance figures
- Morning: Wes Streeting visits Liverpool
- Today: Rachel Reeves makes comments to the press
- Late morning: Number 10 holds its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister highlights plans for the UK's pioneering nuclear power project at Wylfa on the island of Anglesey
