Ed Miliband Urges the Labour Party to Move On After Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Wes Streeting for Negative Backgrounding
Senior Labour figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to move beyond internal tensions after PM Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over negative media stories coming from Downing Street.
Important Updates
- Miliband states the Prime Minister will fire the Downing Street staffer behind for briefing against Wes Streeting if discovered
- The Energy Secretary rejects future leadership aspirations, stating his previous time as Labour leader was the "most effective protection" against desiring the position again
- British economy increased by just 0.1% in the third quarter, affected by the Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack
Context
The political turmoil started after media stories circulated about hostile background comments from the Prime Minister's supporters targeting the Health Secretary. Despite early attempts to minimize the situation, the discussion between the PM and Streeting according to sources took a more serious direction.
The Prime Minister said sorry to Streeting, reporters have been informed. The conversation was concise, and they did not address Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under pressure to sack.
Miliband's Statement
In his morning broadcast interviews, Miliband emphasized the need for the party to concentrate on national matters rather than party conflicts.
Clearly, I think the backgrounding has been damaging, certainly.
But my call to the Labour members today is clear, which is we need to concentrate on the public, not ourselves.
We were given a significant election win last July, a major chance to improve our country. And we have a historic responsibility.
Growth News
Meanwhile, official statistics revealed the British economic performance expanded by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, with the industrial industry particularly hit by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.
The Day's Schedule
- 9.30am: NHS England publishes its monthly performance figures
- Today: The Health Secretary visits the Liverpool area
- Today: Rachel Reeves speaks to the journalists
- Late morning: Downing Street conducts its regular media briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister announces government plans for the UK's first nuclear power project at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey