Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Urges Labour to Focus Forward Following Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Negative Backgrounding
Senior Labour figure Ed Miliband has called for the party to move beyond internal conflicts after PM Sir Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over negative media stories coming from the Prime Minister's office.
Important Developments
- Ed Miliband states Starmer will sack the No 10 official behind for attacking Wes Streeting if identified
- The Energy Secretary dismisses future leadership aspirations, saying his past experience as leader was the "best protection" against seeking the role again
- British economic growth expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, impacted by the JLR security breach
Context
The internal turmoil began after allegations emerged about negative background comments from Starmer's supporters targeting Streeting. Although initial attempts to dismiss the incident, the discussion between the PM and Streeting reportedly followed a more serious turn.
The Prime Minister apologised to Streeting, journalists have been advised. The discussion was concise, and they did not address the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under pressure to dismiss.
The Energy Secretary's Response
In his morning broadcast interviews, Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to focus on country-wide priorities rather than party disputes.
Look, I think the media briefing has been unhelpful, without doubt.
But my call to the Labour party today is clear, which is we need to focus on the country, not each other.
We were given a historic victory last July, a historic opportunity to change our nation. And we have a historic obligation.
Economic Update
Separately, government data revealed the British economic performance grew by just 0.1 percent in the third quarter, with the production sector especially hit by the recent JLR security incident.
Today's Schedule
- 9.30am: NHS England releases its monthly data
- Today: The Health Secretary is visiting Liverpool
- Today: Rachel Reeves makes comments to the media
- 11.30am: Number 10 holds its daily lobby briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister highlights plans for the UK's first small modular reactor facility at Wylfa on Anglesey
