Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Move On Following Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Wes Streeting for Negative Briefings
High-ranking Labour Party figure Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has urged the party to leave behind party tensions after leader Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting over negative briefings linked to Number 10.
Major Updates
- Miliband states the Prime Minister will fire the No 10 source responsible for briefing against Streeting if identified
- The Energy Secretary rules out future party leader aspirations, saying his previous experience as leader was the "most effective inoculation" against desiring the position again
- British economy increased by just 0.1% in the third quarter, impacted by the Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack
Situation
The political controversy started after reports surfaced about hostile briefings from the Prime Minister's team targeting the Health Secretary. Despite early attempts to dismiss the matter, the talk between the PM and Streeting reportedly followed a different turn.
The Prime Minister apologised to Streeting, the media have been told. The exchange was short, and they did not discuss Morgan McSweeney, whom Starmer is now under pressure to dismiss.
The Energy Secretary's Response
In his morning media appearances, Ed Miliband stressed the need for the party to direct attention on national matters rather than party disputes.
Clearly, I think the briefing has been unhelpful, without doubt.
But my call to the party today is straightforward, which is we need to concentrate on the country, not each other.
We were given a significant mandate last summer, a important opportunity to transform our country. And we have a historic obligation.
Growth Update
In other news, official data indicated the British economic performance grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the industrial industry particularly hit by the recent Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.
The Day's Agenda
- Morning: NHS England publishes its monthly performance figures
- Morning: The Health Secretary visits the Liverpool area
- Today: Rachel Reeves makes comments to the media
- 11.30am: Downing Street conducts its regular lobby briefing
- Today: The Prime Minister promotes plans for the UK's first small modular reactor project at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
