Ed Miliband Encourages Labour to Focus Forward Following Starmer Offers Apology to Streeting for Negative Backgrounding
Senior Labour official Ed Miliband has called for the party to put aside party tensions after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over negative briefings coming from Number 10.
Important Events
- Ed Miliband states Starmer will dismiss the No 10 source behind for attacking Streeting if identified
- The Energy Secretary dismisses any leadership ambitions, declaring his previous experience as leader was the "most effective vaccine" against desiring the role again
- British economic growth expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, impacted by the JLR security breach
Context
The political turmoil erupted after reports surfaced about critical background comments from Starmer's allies targeting the Health Secretary. Despite early attempts to minimize the situation, the discussion between Starmer and the health minister apparently followed a more serious turn.
Starmer said sorry to Wes Streeting, the media have been told. The exchange was brief, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under increasing scrutiny to dismiss.
Miliband's Response
In his early morning media interviews, Ed Miliband emphasized the need for the party to concentrate on national issues rather than party disputes.
Look, I think the backgrounding has been damaging, no question.
But my call to the Labour members now is clear, which is we need to focus on the nation, not each other.
We were given a significant victory last July, a historic opportunity to improve our country. And we have a historic duty.
Growth News
In other news, official figures revealed the UK economy expanded by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the production sector particularly hit by the recent Jaguar Land Rover security incident.
Today's Agenda
- 9.30am: NHS England issues its latest data
- Morning: Wes Streeting is visiting the Liverpool area
- Today: Rachel Reeves speaks to the press
- Late morning: Number 10 conducts its regular media briefing
- Today: Keir Starmer announces plans for the UK's pioneering small modular reactor plant at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
