Ed Miliband Encourages Labour to Look Ahead After Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Aggressive Briefings
Senior Labour Party official Ed Miliband has called for the party to leave behind party disputes after leader Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting MP over hostile media stories linked to Downing Street.
Key Developments
- Miliband confirms the Prime Minister will fire the No 10 staffer responsible for targeting Wes Streeting if found
- Miliband rules out any party leader aspirations, stating his previous time as leader was the "strongest protection" against seeking the role again
- British economic growth expanded by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, affected by the JLR security breach
Background
The internal controversy erupted after media stories emerged about negative briefings from the Prime Minister's team targeting the Health Secretary. Despite initial efforts to downplay the incident, the discussion between Starmer and Streeting reportedly followed a more serious direction.
Starmer expressed regret to Streeting, the media have been informed. The conversation was brief, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under growing pressure to sack.
Miliband's Reaction
In his morning media appearances, Ed Miliband highlighted the need for the Labour Party to concentrate on country-wide priorities rather than party divisions.
Clearly, I think the briefing has been unhelpful, without doubt.
But my message to the Labour party today is clear, which is we need to prioritize the country, not ourselves.
We were given a major victory last July, a historic chance to improve our country. And we have a historic obligation.
Growth News
Meanwhile, official figures showed the UK economic performance expanded by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the production industry especially impacted by the recently reported JLR security incident.
The Day's Schedule
- Morning: The National Health Service releases its monthly data
- Today: The Health Secretary visits the Liverpool area
- Morning: Rachel Reeves speaks to the journalists
- Late morning: Downing Street conducts its regular media briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister announces government plans for the Britain's first nuclear power plant at Wylfa site on Anglesey
