Ed Miliband Urges Labour to Look Ahead After Keir Starmer Offers Apology to Wes Streeting for Hostile Briefings
Senior Labour official Ed Miliband has urged the party to leave behind internal tensions after leader Sir Keir Starmer directly said sorry to health minister Wes Streeting MP over hostile leaked comments linked to the Prime Minister's office.
Key Events
- Ed Miliband confirms Starmer will sack the Downing Street staffer behind for briefing against Wes Streeting if discovered
- The Energy Secretary rules out any party leader plans, declaring his previous time as leader was the "best protection" against wanting the role again
- British economy expanded by just 0.1% in the third quarter, impacted by the Jaguar Land Rover security breach
Situation
The internal unrest began after media stories circulated about negative briefings from Starmer's supporters targeting the Health Secretary. Although initial attempts to dismiss the situation, the conversation between Starmer and Streeting apparently took a more serious direction.
Starmer expressed regret to Streeting, reporters have been told. The exchange was short, and they did not address Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under growing pressure to sack.
Miliband's Reaction
In his morning media interviews, Miliband emphasized the need for the Labour Party to focus on country-wide matters rather than party divisions.
Look, I think the media briefing has been bad, without doubt.
But my call to the Labour party today is clear, which is we need to concentrate on the public, not our internal matters.
We were given a major mandate last July, a major opportunity to improve our nation. And we have a major responsibility.
Growth Update
Separately, official figures indicated the British economic performance increased by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the manufacturing sector especially impacted by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover security incident.
Today's Schedule
- Morning: The National Health Service issues its latest performance figures
- Today: Wes Streeting visits Liverpool
- Morning: Rachel Reeves makes comments to the press
- Late morning: Number 10 conducts its daily lobby briefing
- Today: Keir Starmer announces plans for the Britain's pioneering nuclear power project at Wylfa on the island of Anglesey
