Ed Miliband Encourages the Labour Party to Focus Forward Following Keir Starmer Apologises to Streeting for Negative Backgrounding
Senior Labour Party official Ed Miliband has called for the party to put aside party tensions after leader Keir Starmer personally expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting over negative leaked comments linked to Number 10.
Major Events
- Ed Miliband states the Prime Minister will fire the No 10 source responsible for briefing against Wes Streeting if found
- Miliband rules out future leadership ambitions, stating his past time as Labour leader was the "strongest protection" against seeking the role again
- UK economy increased by just 0.1% in the third quarter, impacted by the JLR hack
Context
The internal controversy began after media stories circulated about hostile background comments from the Prime Minister's team targeting Streeting. Although initial attempts to minimize the situation, the discussion between the PM and Streeting reportedly took a different turn.
The Prime Minister apologised to Wes Streeting, the media have been advised. The discussion was brief, and they did not address Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under pressure to sack.
Miliband's Response
In his early morning broadcast interviews, Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to focus on national issues rather than internal divisions.
Look, I think the backgrounding has been damaging, without doubt.
But my call to the party today is clear, which is we need to concentrate on the country, not our internal matters.
We were given a major victory last summer, a major opportunity to improve our country. And we have a serious obligation.
Economic Update
In other news, official statistics indicated the British economic performance increased by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the industrial sector especially affected by the recently reported JLR cyber-attack.
Today's Agenda
- Morning: The National Health Service releases its monthly statistics
- Morning: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
- Today: The Chancellor speaks to the press
- Late morning: Downing Street conducts its daily lobby briefing
- Morning: The Prime Minister highlights government plans for the UK's pioneering nuclear power plant at Wylfa on Anglesey
