Senior Labour Party official Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has demanded the party to put aside internal conflicts after leader Sir Keir Starmer personally said sorry to health minister Wes Streeting MP over negative media stories originating from Downing Street.
Major Events
- Ed Miliband states the Prime Minister will sack the Downing Street official responsible for attacking Streeting if discovered
- The Energy Secretary rejects future party leader plans, saying his past experience as leader was the "strongest inoculation" against wanting the position again
- British economic growth increased by just 0.1% in the July-September period, impacted by the JLR hack
Situation
The internal unrest erupted after allegations emerged about critical background comments from the Prime Minister's supporters targeting Streeting. Despite early attempts to dismiss the matter, the conversation between the PM and the health minister reportedly took a more serious direction.
The Prime Minister apologised to Streeting, journalists have been told. The discussion was concise, and they did not address Morgan McSweeney, whom the PM is now under pressure to dismiss.
Miliband's Response
In his morning broadcast interviews, Ed Miliband emphasized the need for the Labour Party to direct attention on country-wide matters rather than internal disputes.
Look, I think the briefing has been unhelpful, certainly.
But my advice to the Labour party today is clear, which is we need to prioritize the country, not ourselves.
We were given a historic victory last summer, a important opportunity to change our nation. And we have a major responsibility.
Economic News
Separately, official figures revealed the UK economic performance increased by just 0.1 percent in the July-September period, with the manufacturing industry especially affected by the recent JLR hack.
The Day's Agenda
- 9.30am: The National Health Service releases its latest statistics
- Today: The Health Secretary is visiting Liverpool
- Morning: The Chancellor makes comments to the media
- Late morning: Number 10 conducts its regular media briefing
- Morning: Keir Starmer highlights plans for the UK's pioneering small modular reactor project at Wylfa site on the island of Anglesey
