Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Urges the Labour Party to Move On Following Keir Starmer Offers Apology to Streeting for Negative Briefings
High-ranking Labour figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to move beyond internal tensions after PM Keir Starmer directly apologised to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over damaging media stories coming from Number 10.
Key Developments
- Miliband states the Prime Minister will dismiss the No 10 staffer behind for targeting Streeting if identified
- The Energy Secretary dismisses future leadership aspirations, stating his previous experience as leader was the "most effective inoculation" against seeking the role again
- UK economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, impacted by the Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack
Situation
The political turmoil erupted after allegations circulated about negative briefings from Starmer's team targeting Streeting. Despite early attempts to minimize the matter, the talk between the PM and Streeting reportedly followed a more serious direction.
Starmer expressed regret to Streeting, journalists have been informed. The exchange was short, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under increasing scrutiny to dismiss.
The Energy Secretary's Response
In his morning media interviews, Miliband highlighted the need for the party to focus on national matters rather than party divisions.
Look, I think the briefing has been damaging, without doubt.
But my message to the Labour members now is straightforward, which is we need to concentrate on the public, not each other.
We were given a significant mandate last summer, a important chance to change our nation. And we have a historic responsibility.
Economic News
Meanwhile, official statistics indicated the UK economic performance expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the production sector especially hit by the recent JLR security incident.
The Day's Agenda
- 9.30am: NHS England publishes its latest performance figures
- Morning: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
- Today: The Chancellor makes comments to the press
- 11.30am: Downing Street holds its daily lobby briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer announces government plans for the Britain's first nuclear power plant at Wylfa on the island of Anglesey