Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Focus Forward After Starmer Says Sorry to Wes Streeting for Hostile Media Leaks
High-ranking Labour Party figure Ed Miliband has urged the party to leave behind party conflicts after PM Sir Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over hostile media stories originating from Number 10.
Major Developments
- Miliband declares Starmer will dismiss the No 10 official behind for attacking Wes Streeting if found
- Miliband rules out any party leader aspirations, declaring his past experience as Labour leader was the "most effective inoculation" against seeking the position again
- UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the third quarter, hit by the JLR security breach
Context
The political unrest began after reports emerged about negative briefings from the Prime Minister's team targeting Streeting. Despite early efforts to minimize the matter, the discussion between the PM and the health minister reportedly took a different turn.
The Prime Minister expressed regret to Wes Streeting, reporters have been told. The exchange was short, and they did not talk about Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under increasing scrutiny to dismiss.
The Energy Secretary's Reaction
In his morning media appearances, Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to direct attention on country-wide matters rather than internal conflicts.
Clearly, I think the briefing has been unhelpful, no question.
But my message to the party now is clear, which is we need to prioritize the nation, not ourselves.
We were given a significant election win last summer, a historic opportunity to transform our nation. And we have a historic duty.
Growth Update
In other news, government figures revealed the British economy increased by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the manufacturing sector particularly hit by the recent Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.
Today's Agenda
- Morning: NHS England releases its monthly statistics
- Today: The Health Secretary is visiting Liverpool
- Today: The Chancellor makes comments to the media
- 11.30am: Number 10 conducts its regular media briefing
- Today: The Prime Minister highlights government plans for the UK's pioneering nuclear power plant at Wylfa on the island of Anglesey
