Ed Miliband Calls on the Labour Party to Move On Following Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Wes Streeting for Negative Briefings
Senior Labour official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to put aside party tensions after leader Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over hostile briefings coming from Downing Street.
Important Developments
- Ed Miliband confirms the Prime Minister will dismiss the Downing Street staffer behind for briefing against Streeting if identified
- The Energy Secretary dismisses any party leader plans, declaring his previous experience as leader was the "strongest vaccine" against seeking the position again
- British economic growth grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, hit by the Jaguar Land Rover security breach
Context
The political controversy erupted after allegations surfaced about negative briefings from the Prime Minister's team targeting the Health Secretary. Despite early attempts to downplay the situation, the discussion between the PM and the health minister reportedly followed a different turn.
The Prime Minister expressed regret to Wes Streeting, reporters have been advised. The exchange was short, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under growing pressure to remove.
Miliband's Statement
In his early morning broadcast appearances, Miliband emphasized the need for the party to focus on country-wide priorities rather than internal disputes.
Look, I think the briefing has been unhelpful, certainly.
But my message to the Labour members now is quite simple, which is we need to concentrate on the country, not our internal matters.
We were given a major election win last summer, a major chance to improve our nation. And we have a historic duty.
Economic News
In other news, government data showed the British economic performance expanded by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the industrial industry particularly hit by the recent Jaguar Land Rover security incident.
Today's Schedule
- 9.30am: The National Health Service releases its monthly data
- Today: Wes Streeting is visiting the Liverpool area
- Today: The Chancellor speaks to the press
- Late morning: Number 10 conducts its regular lobby briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister highlights government plans for the Britain's first nuclear power facility at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
