Ed Miliband Urges Labour to Focus Forward After Starmer Apologises to Streeting for Negative Backgrounding
Senior Labour Party figure Ed Miliband has called for the party to leave behind party tensions after leader Sir Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting over hostile briefings coming from Number 10.
Key Updates
- Miliband confirms the Prime Minister will fire the Downing Street source behind for briefing against Wes Streeting if identified
- The Energy Secretary rejects any leadership aspirations, stating his previous time as leader was the "best protection" against wanting the role again
- British economy expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, hit by the JLR hack
Context
The political unrest erupted after media stories emerged about negative briefings from Starmer's team targeting Streeting. Despite initial attempts to minimize the matter, the conversation between the PM and Streeting apparently took a more serious turn.
Starmer said sorry to Wes Streeting, the media have been informed. The exchange was short, and they did not talk about Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under increasing scrutiny to sack.
Miliband's Response
In his early morning media appearances, Miliband stressed the need for the party to direct attention on country-wide matters rather than internal disputes.
Clearly, I think the media briefing has been unhelpful, without doubt.
But my advice to the Labour members today is quite simple, which is we need to prioritize the nation, not each other.
We were given a historic victory last summer, a important chance to change our country. And we have a historic obligation.
Growth News
Meanwhile, official statistics showed the British economic performance expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the manufacturing sector particularly hit by the recent Jaguar Land Rover security incident.
Today's Schedule
- Morning: NHS England releases its monthly data
- Today: Wes Streeting visits the Liverpool area
- Today: The Chancellor speaks to the press
- 11.30am: Downing Street conducts its daily lobby briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer promotes government plans for the Britain's first nuclear power plant at Wylfa site on Anglesey
