Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Encourages Labour to Move On Following Starmer Says Sorry to Wes Streeting for Hostile Backgrounding
Senior Labour official Ed Miliband has demanded the party to leave behind internal disputes after PM Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over damaging leaked comments originating from Number 10.
Major Events
- Miliband confirms the Prime Minister will dismiss the No 10 source behind for targeting Wes Streeting if found
- The Energy Secretary dismisses future leadership ambitions, declaring his previous experience as leader was the "strongest vaccine" against desiring the role again
- UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the third quarter, affected by the Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack
Background
The internal controversy started after media stories circulated about hostile briefings from Starmer's allies targeting the Health Secretary. Despite initial efforts to minimize the matter, the conversation between Starmer and the health minister reportedly followed a more serious turn.
Starmer said sorry to Wes Streeting, the media have been informed. The exchange was brief, and they did not talk about Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under pressure to sack.
The Energy Secretary's Reaction
In his morning media appearances, Ed Miliband emphasized the need for the party to direct attention on country-wide priorities rather than party conflicts.
Look, I think the media briefing has been damaging, no question.
But my message to the Labour party today is clear, which is we need to prioritize the nation, not ourselves.
We were given a historic mandate last summer, a major chance to improve our country. And we have a serious obligation.
Economic Update
Separately, official statistics revealed the UK economic performance grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the industrial sector particularly impacted by the recently reported JLR cyber-attack.
Today's Agenda
- 9.30am: NHS England releases its monthly data
- Morning: Wes Streeting is visiting Liverpool
- Morning: The Chancellor makes comments to the journalists
- Late morning: Number 10 holds its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer promotes government plans for the UK's first small modular reactor project at Wylfa on Anglesey