Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Encourages Labour to Focus Forward After Starmer Offers Apology to Wes Streeting for Hostile Briefings
Senior Labour Party figure Ed Miliband has urged the party to leave behind internal disputes after Prime Minister Keir Starmer directly apologised to health minister Wes Streeting over hostile briefings originating from Downing Street.
Key Events
- Ed Miliband states Starmer will sack the Downing Street official behind for targeting Streeting if found
- The Energy Secretary rules out future party leader aspirations, stating his past time as leader was the "best vaccine" against wanting the position again
- UK economy grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, hit by the Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack
Context
The internal controversy began after media stories circulated about critical briefings from Starmer's supporters targeting the Health Secretary. Although initial efforts to dismiss the situation, the conversation between the PM and the health minister reportedly followed a more serious turn.
The Prime Minister apologised to Wes Streeting, the media have been advised. The discussion was concise, and they did not talk about Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under growing pressure to dismiss.
The Energy Secretary's Statement
In his early morning broadcast interviews, Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to direct attention on country-wide issues rather than party conflicts.
Look, I think the media briefing has been bad, no question.
But my advice to the party now is quite simple, which is we need to prioritize the country, not ourselves.
We were given a major mandate last summer, a important chance to transform our country. And we have a serious responsibility.
Economic News
Separately, official data indicated the British economy expanded by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the manufacturing sector particularly affected by the recent Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.
Today's Schedule
- 9.30am: The National Health Service issues its latest data
- Today: The Health Secretary is visiting Liverpool
- Today: The Chancellor speaks to the journalists
- 11.30am: Number 10 holds its daily media briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister highlights government plans for the UK's first nuclear power facility at Wylfa on Anglesey
