Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Move On After Starmer Says Sorry to Wes Streeting for Hostile Briefings
High-ranking Labour figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has urged the party to put aside party conflicts after leader Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over damaging briefings coming from Downing Street.
Important Updates
- Miliband confirms the Prime Minister will sack the No 10 staffer responsible for briefing against Wes Streeting if discovered
- Miliband rules out any party leader plans, saying his past time as Labour leader was the "best inoculation" against seeking the role again
- British economy grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, hit by the Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack
Context
The political controversy began after reports surfaced about hostile briefings from Starmer's team targeting the Health Secretary. Despite early efforts to downplay the incident, the conversation between Starmer and the health minister reportedly took a different turn.
The Prime Minister expressed regret to Wes Streeting, the media have been told. The discussion was concise, and they did not address Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under pressure to remove.
Miliband's Reaction
In his morning broadcast appearances, Miliband stressed the need for the party to concentrate on country-wide issues rather than internal disputes.
Look, I think the briefing has been unhelpful, without doubt.
But my advice to the party now is clear, which is we need to concentrate on the nation, not our internal matters.
We were given a major election win last summer, a important opportunity to transform our country. And we have a serious obligation.
Economic News
Meanwhile, government figures showed the British economic performance grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the industrial sector especially hit by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover hack.
Today's Agenda
- Morning: The National Health Service issues its latest performance figures
- Morning: The Health Secretary is visiting Liverpool
- Today: The Chancellor speaks to the media
- Late morning: Number 10 conducts its daily lobby briefing
- Today: The Prime Minister highlights plans for the UK's pioneering small modular reactor plant at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
