Ed Miliband Encourages Labour to Move On Following Starmer Apologises to Streeting for Negative Media Leaks
Senior Labour Party figure Ed Miliband has urged the party to move beyond internal conflicts after PM Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over hostile media stories originating from the Prime Minister's office.
Key Developments
- Ed Miliband states the Prime Minister will sack the Downing Street staffer behind for attacking Wes Streeting if identified
- Miliband dismisses future leadership aspirations, declaring his past experience as leader was the "strongest inoculation" against desiring the position again
- British economy grew by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, impacted by the JLR hack
Situation
The political turmoil began after reports surfaced about negative background comments from the Prime Minister's allies targeting the Health Secretary. Although initial attempts to minimize the matter, the discussion between Starmer and the health minister apparently followed a more serious direction.
Starmer said sorry to Wes Streeting, reporters have been told. The discussion was concise, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under pressure to dismiss.
Miliband's Statement
In his morning media appearances, Miliband emphasized the need for the Labour Party to concentrate on national priorities rather than party disputes.
Clearly, I think the backgrounding has been bad, without doubt.
But my advice to the Labour party now is quite simple, which is we need to focus on the nation, not our internal matters.
We were given a significant election win last summer, a important opportunity to improve our country. And we have a serious responsibility.
Economic Update
Separately, official statistics showed the UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the manufacturing sector particularly impacted by the recent Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.
Today's Agenda
- 9.30am: The National Health Service releases its latest statistics
- Today: The Health Secretary visits Liverpool
- Today: The Chancellor speaks to the press
- Late morning: Number 10 holds its daily media briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister highlights government plans for the Britain's first nuclear power facility at Wylfa on Anglesey
