Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Focus Forward Following Starmer Offers Apology to Wes Streeting for Negative Media Leaks
Senior Labour official Ed Miliband has urged the party to put aside internal conflicts after Prime Minister Keir Starmer directly apologised to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over damaging media stories linked to the Prime Minister's office.
Major Updates
- Ed Miliband confirms Starmer will sack the No 10 official responsible for briefing against Wes Streeting if discovered
- Miliband rules out any party leader ambitions, stating his past time as Labour leader was the "strongest vaccine" against seeking the position again
- UK economy grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, impacted by the JLR hack
Context
The internal turmoil started after reports emerged about negative briefings from Starmer's allies targeting Streeting. Despite initial attempts to dismiss the situation, the discussion between Starmer and Streeting apparently followed a more serious turn.
Starmer expressed regret to Streeting, the media have been advised. The discussion was short, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under growing pressure to remove.
Miliband's Statement
In his early morning broadcast appearances, Miliband highlighted the need for the party to direct attention on national matters rather than party divisions.
Look, I think the media briefing has been bad, no question.
But my call to the party today is clear, which is we need to concentrate on the country, not each other.
We were given a significant mandate last summer, a major opportunity to change our country. And we have a serious obligation.
Growth News
Separately, government statistics indicated the UK economy increased by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the production sector particularly impacted by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover security incident.
The Day's Agenda
- 9.30am: The National Health Service releases its monthly statistics
- Morning: The Health Secretary visits Liverpool
- Morning: Rachel Reeves speaks to the press
- 11.30am: Downing Street holds its daily lobby briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer highlights government plans for the Britain's first small modular reactor plant at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
