Ed Miliband Calls on the Labour Party to Focus Forward Following Keir Starmer Apologises to Wes Streeting for Negative Briefings
Senior Labour Party figure Ed Miliband has demanded the party to move beyond internal disputes after leader Sir Keir Starmer personally apologised to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over hostile leaked comments originating from Downing Street.
Important Developments
- Ed Miliband declares Starmer will dismiss the No 10 staffer behind for attacking Wes Streeting if identified
- Miliband rules out future leadership aspirations, stating his previous experience as leader was the "strongest protection" against seeking the role again
- UK economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, impacted by the Jaguar Land Rover hack
Background
The internal unrest erupted after reports circulated about hostile background comments from the Prime Minister's allies targeting the Health Secretary. Although early efforts to downplay the matter, the conversation between Starmer and the health minister apparently took a different turn.
The Prime Minister apologised to Streeting, the media have been told. The discussion was concise, and they did not address Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under growing pressure to sack.
Miliband's Reaction
In his morning broadcast appearances, Ed Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to concentrate on national issues rather than party divisions.
Clearly, I think the media briefing has been unhelpful, without doubt.
But my message to the Labour party now is clear, which is we need to concentrate on the nation, not our internal matters.
We were given a historic victory last summer, a historic opportunity to improve our country. And we have a serious duty.
Growth Update
Separately, government figures indicated the British economy increased by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the manufacturing sector particularly affected by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover hack.
Today's Agenda
- 9.30am: The National Health Service releases its monthly data
- Morning: Wes Streeting visits the Liverpool area
- Morning: The Chancellor makes comments to the media
- Late morning: Number 10 conducts its regular media briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister announces plans for the Britain's first small modular reactor plant at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
