Ed Miliband Encourages Labour to Move On After Keir Starmer Apologises to Wes Streeting for Aggressive Backgrounding
Senior Labour Party figure Ed Miliband has urged the party to leave behind internal disputes after leader Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over damaging leaked comments coming from the Prime Minister's office.
Key Updates
- Ed Miliband declares Starmer will fire the No 10 staffer behind for briefing against Wes Streeting if found
- Miliband rejects future party leader aspirations, saying his past experience as Labour leader was the "most effective protection" against wanting the role again
- UK economy grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, impacted by the JLR security breach
Context
The internal unrest erupted after allegations surfaced about hostile briefings from Starmer's supporters targeting Streeting. Although early attempts to downplay the matter, the discussion between the PM and Streeting reportedly took a more serious turn.
The Prime Minister apologised to Wes Streeting, journalists have been informed. The exchange was short, and they did not address the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under pressure to dismiss.
Miliband's Response
In his early morning media appearances, Miliband highlighted the need for the party to focus on country-wide matters rather than party divisions.
Clearly, I think the briefing has been bad, no question.
But my message to the party now is quite simple, which is we need to focus on the nation, not ourselves.
We were given a significant election win last July, a historic chance to improve our country. And we have a historic obligation.
Growth News
In other news, official statistics showed the UK economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, with the manufacturing industry particularly hit by the recent JLR cyber-attack.
The Day's Agenda
- Morning: The National Health Service releases its latest data
- Morning: The Health Secretary visits Liverpool
- Morning: The Chancellor speaks to the press
- 11.30am: Downing Street holds its daily lobby briefing
- Today: Keir Starmer promotes plans for the UK's first nuclear power project at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
