Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Look Ahead After Keir Starmer Apologises to Wes Streeting for Hostile Backgrounding
Senior Labour Party figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has urged the party to move beyond internal disputes after leader Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over damaging media stories coming from Downing Street.
Key Developments
- Miliband declares Starmer will dismiss the Downing Street official behind for briefing against Wes Streeting if found
- Miliband dismisses future party leader aspirations, stating his past experience as leader was the "best vaccine" against desiring the role again
- UK economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, hit by the JLR cyber-attack
Context
The internal controversy started after allegations surfaced about negative background comments from the Prime Minister's team targeting the Health Secretary. Although early efforts to downplay the matter, the discussion between Starmer and the health minister reportedly followed a different direction.
The Prime Minister expressed regret to Wes Streeting, the media have been advised. The discussion was short, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under growing pressure to remove.
The Energy Secretary's Response
In his morning broadcast interviews, Ed Miliband highlighted the need for the party to direct attention on country-wide priorities rather than party disputes.
Clearly, I think the backgrounding has been unhelpful, no question.
But my call to the Labour members today is clear, which is we need to focus on the country, not ourselves.
We were given a historic election win last July, a major opportunity to transform our country. And we have a serious duty.
Growth Update
Meanwhile, official data showed the British economy expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the manufacturing industry particularly hit by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.
Today's Agenda
- Morning: The National Health Service publishes its monthly performance figures
- Morning: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
- Morning: Rachel Reeves speaks to the press
- Late morning: Number 10 holds its regular media briefing
- Today: Keir Starmer announces government plans for the UK's pioneering nuclear power facility at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
