Ed Miliband Urges the Labour Party to Move On Following Starmer Offers Apology to Streeting for Hostile Media Leaks
Senior Labour figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has urged the party to put aside party disputes after leader Sir Keir Starmer directly apologised to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over damaging briefings originating from Downing Street.
Major Updates
- Miliband declares Starmer will fire the No 10 source responsible for attacking Streeting if found
- Miliband rejects future leadership ambitions, stating his past time as Labour leader was the "strongest vaccine" against seeking the position again
- UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the third quarter, affected by the Jaguar Land Rover hack
Background
The political controversy began after reports emerged about negative background comments from Starmer's team targeting the Health Secretary. Although initial attempts to dismiss the incident, the talk between the PM and Streeting apparently followed a different direction.
Starmer expressed regret to Wes Streeting, journalists have been told. The exchange was short, and they did not address the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under pressure to dismiss.
Miliband's Statement
In his morning broadcast appearances, Ed Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to focus on country-wide issues rather than internal conflicts.
Look, I think the backgrounding has been bad, certainly.
But my message to the Labour members now is quite simple, which is we need to concentrate on the country, not each other.
We were given a significant mandate last July, a important chance to improve our nation. And we have a serious duty.
Growth Update
Meanwhile, government figures indicated the UK economic performance expanded by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the industrial industry especially hit by the recent JLR hack.
Today's Agenda
- 9.30am: NHS England publishes its monthly data
- Morning: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
- Morning: The Chancellor speaks to the media
- 11.30am: Number 10 holds its regular media briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer highlights government plans for the UK's pioneering small modular reactor plant at Wylfa on the island of Anglesey
