Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Focus Forward Following Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Aggressive Backgrounding
Senior Labour figure Ed Miliband has urged the party to leave behind party disputes after PM Sir Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting over negative leaked comments coming from Downing Street.
Major Developments
- Miliband declares the Prime Minister will dismiss the No 10 staffer behind for attacking Wes Streeting if found
- Miliband dismisses future party leader plans, stating his past time as Labour leader was the "most effective protection" against seeking the position again
- UK economy increased by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, impacted by the Jaguar Land Rover security breach
Background
The political unrest began after reports circulated about hostile briefings from the Prime Minister's supporters targeting the Health Secretary. Despite early efforts to minimize the incident, the talk between the PM and the health minister reportedly followed a different direction.
Starmer apologised to Streeting, the media have been told. The conversation was short, and they did not address the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under increasing scrutiny to sack.
The Energy Secretary's Statement
In his early morning media appearances, Ed Miliband highlighted the need for the party to concentrate on national matters rather than internal conflicts.
Clearly, I think the media briefing has been unhelpful, without doubt.
But my advice to the Labour party today is clear, which is we need to concentrate on the public, not our internal matters.
We were given a historic mandate last July, a historic opportunity to improve our nation. And we have a historic obligation.
Economic Update
Separately, government statistics indicated the UK economic performance grew by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the manufacturing industry especially hit by the recent JLR cyber-attack.
Today's Agenda
- Morning: NHS England publishes its monthly performance figures
- Morning: The Health Secretary is visiting Liverpool
- Morning: Rachel Reeves speaks to the press
- Late morning: Downing Street conducts its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister promotes government plans for the Britain's pioneering nuclear power project at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
