Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Look Ahead Following Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Negative Backgrounding
Senior Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to move beyond internal disputes after PM Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting MP over negative briefings coming from Downing Street.
Key Events
- Miliband declares Starmer will sack the No 10 staffer behind for attacking Wes Streeting if discovered
- Miliband rules out any party leader ambitions, stating his past experience as leader was the "most effective vaccine" against desiring the role again
- UK economy grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, affected by the JLR security breach
Situation
The internal unrest began after allegations circulated about critical background comments from the Prime Minister's team targeting Streeting. Although early efforts to downplay the situation, the discussion between Starmer and Streeting according to sources followed a more serious turn.
The Prime Minister expressed regret to Streeting, the media have been advised. The conversation was brief, and they did not address the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under increasing scrutiny to sack.
The Energy Secretary's Response
In his morning broadcast appearances, Miliband emphasized the need for the Labour Party to focus on country-wide priorities rather than party conflicts.
Look, I think the backgrounding has been bad, certainly.
But my message to the Labour members now is straightforward, which is we need to focus on the nation, not each other.
We were given a major victory last summer, a historic opportunity to improve our country. And we have a serious duty.
Growth Update
Separately, government data revealed the British economic performance expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the manufacturing sector especially affected by the recently reported JLR security incident.
The Day's Agenda
- 9.30am: NHS England releases its latest statistics
- Morning: Wes Streeting visits Liverpool
- Today: The Chancellor makes comments to the press
- 11.30am: Downing Street conducts its regular media briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister announces plans for the UK's pioneering nuclear power project at Wylfa site on Anglesey
