Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Calls on Labour to Focus Forward Following Starmer Apologises to Wes Streeting for Negative Backgrounding

Senior Labour Party official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has called for the party to move beyond party tensions after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer directly said sorry to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over negative media stories coming from the Prime Minister's office.

Key Events

  • Ed Miliband confirms the Prime Minister will dismiss the Downing Street source responsible for briefing against Wes Streeting if identified
  • Miliband rules out any party leader ambitions, stating his past time as Labour leader was the "most effective vaccine" against seeking the position again
  • British economic growth grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, impacted by the JLR security breach

Context

The internal unrest erupted after allegations circulated about critical briefings from Starmer's allies targeting Streeting. Although initial attempts to dismiss the matter, the conversation between Starmer and Streeting reportedly followed a different direction.

Starmer said sorry to Wes Streeting, journalists have been advised. The discussion was concise, and they did not talk about Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under growing pressure to dismiss.

Miliband's Response

In his early morning media appearances, Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to concentrate on country-wide issues rather than party conflicts.

Look, I think the media briefing has been bad, no question.

But my call to the Labour party now is straightforward, which is we need to focus on the public, not ourselves.

We were given a significant election win last summer, a historic opportunity to change our nation. And we have a historic responsibility.

Economic Update

Separately, official statistics revealed the British economic performance grew by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the manufacturing sector especially hit by the recent Jaguar Land Rover security incident.

The Day's Agenda

  • 9.30am: The National Health Service issues its monthly performance figures
  • Morning: Wes Streeting visits the Liverpool area
  • Morning: The Chancellor speaks to the media
  • Late morning: Downing Street holds its daily lobby briefing
  • Morning: Keir Starmer promotes government plans for the UK's first small modular reactor plant at Wylfa site on Anglesey
Kendra Rodriguez
Kendra Rodriguez

A tech enthusiast and writer passionate about emerging technologies and their impact on society.