Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Focus Forward Following Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Negative Backgrounding
Senior Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has demanded the party to move beyond internal tensions after leader Sir Keir Starmer directly said sorry to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over negative briefings linked to Number 10.
Important Updates
- Ed Miliband confirms Starmer will sack the No 10 official behind for targeting Wes Streeting if discovered
- The Energy Secretary dismisses any party leader ambitions, declaring his past time as Labour leader was the "best vaccine" against desiring the position again
- UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, affected by the JLR security breach
Background
The internal controversy began after media stories circulated about hostile briefings from Starmer's team targeting the Health Secretary. Despite initial attempts to downplay the situation, the talk between Starmer and Streeting apparently followed a different direction.
The Prime Minister said sorry to Streeting, reporters have been told. The exchange was short, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under growing pressure to dismiss.
The Energy Secretary's Reaction
In his early morning media appearances, Miliband emphasized the need for the Labour Party to concentrate on country-wide priorities rather than internal divisions.
Look, I think the backgrounding has been damaging, certainly.
But my message to the Labour members today is straightforward, which is we need to focus on the country, not ourselves.
We were given a significant mandate last July, a important chance to improve our country. And we have a major responsibility.
Economic News
Meanwhile, official data revealed the British economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, with the industrial industry especially impacted by the recent JLR hack.
The Day's Schedule
- Morning: NHS England publishes its latest performance figures
- Today: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
- Morning: Rachel Reeves makes comments to the press
- Late morning: Downing Street holds its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer promotes government plans for the UK's first small modular reactor plant at Wylfa on Anglesey
