Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Encourages Labour to Move On After Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Hostile Backgrounding
High-ranking Labour Party figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to put aside party tensions after PM Keir Starmer directly said sorry to health minister Wes Streeting over negative briefings linked to Downing Street.
Major Events
- Ed Miliband confirms Starmer will dismiss the Downing Street source responsible for attacking Wes Streeting if found
- The Energy Secretary dismisses any leadership ambitions, saying his previous experience as leader was the "most effective inoculation" against seeking the position again
- British economy grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, affected by the Jaguar Land Rover hack
Background
The political controversy began after media stories emerged about negative background comments from Starmer's team targeting Streeting. Despite initial attempts to dismiss the matter, the discussion between Starmer and the health minister according to sources took a more serious turn.
Starmer apologised to Streeting, reporters have been told. The exchange was concise, and they did not discuss the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under increasing scrutiny to dismiss.
The Energy Secretary's Response
In his early morning broadcast appearances, Miliband stressed the need for the party to direct attention on national matters rather than party conflicts.
Look, I think the backgrounding has been damaging, certainly.
But my call to the Labour party today is clear, which is we need to concentrate on the nation, not each other.
We were given a significant election win last July, a historic chance to change our nation. And we have a historic duty.
Economic News
Separately, official data revealed the British economy grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the industrial industry particularly affected by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover hack.
The Day's Schedule
- Morning: The National Health Service releases its monthly statistics
- Today: Wes Streeting visits the Liverpool area
- Morning: The Chancellor makes comments to the journalists
- 11.30am: Number 10 holds its daily lobby briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer announces government plans for the Britain's pioneering nuclear power plant at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
