Energy Secretary Ed Miliband Urges the Labour Party to Focus Forward Following Starmer Says Sorry to Wes Streeting for Hostile Backgrounding

Senior Labour figure Ed Miliband has urged the party to leave behind party disputes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer personally apologised to Health Secretary Wes Streeting over hostile media stories originating from the Prime Minister's office.

Key Updates

  • Miliband states the Prime Minister will sack the Downing Street source responsible for briefing against Wes Streeting if discovered
  • The Energy Secretary rules out future party leader aspirations, declaring his past time as Labour leader was the "strongest protection" against wanting the role again
  • UK economic growth grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, hit by the Jaguar Land Rover security breach

Situation

The internal turmoil began after reports emerged about critical briefings from the Prime Minister's supporters targeting the Health Secretary. Although early efforts to downplay the situation, the talk between the PM and the health minister apparently followed a different turn.

The Prime Minister apologised to Wes Streeting, journalists have been advised. The conversation was brief, and they did not address the chief of staff, whom Starmer is now under increasing scrutiny to dismiss.

The Energy Secretary's Statement

In his morning media interviews, Ed Miliband stressed the need for the Labour Party to direct attention on country-wide issues rather than party divisions.

Look, I think the briefing has been damaging, certainly.

But my message to the Labour members now is quite simple, which is we need to concentrate on the nation, not our internal matters.

We were given a major victory last summer, a important opportunity to change our nation. And we have a major obligation.

Economic Update

Separately, government figures indicated the UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the production sector particularly affected by the recently reported Jaguar Land Rover hack.

The Day's Schedule

  • 9.30am: The National Health Service issues its monthly performance figures
  • Today: Wes Streeting visits the Liverpool area
  • Morning: The Chancellor makes comments to the media
  • 11.30am: Downing Street holds its daily media briefing
  • Morning: The Prime Minister highlights government plans for the UK's first small modular reactor plant at Wylfa site on Anglesey
Joshua Payne
Joshua Payne

Elara is a seasoned web developer and digital strategist with over a decade of experience in creating innovative online solutions.