Ed Miliband Urges Labour to Focus Forward Following Keir Starmer Says Sorry to Streeting for Aggressive Backgrounding

Senior Labour figure Ed Miliband has called for the party to leave behind party tensions after leader Keir Starmer personally said sorry to Health Secretary Wes Streeting MP over damaging media stories originating from Downing Street.

Important Developments

• Ed Miliband states the Prime Minister will fire the Downing Street staffer behind for briefing against Wes Streeting if discovered
• Miliband dismisses any party leader plans, stating his previous time as leader was the "most effective inoculation" against wanting the position again
• British economic growth grew by just 0.1% in the July-September period, affected by the JLR cyber-attack

Context

The political turmoil began after reports surfaced about critical briefings from Starmer's allies targeting Streeting. Although early attempts to downplay the incident, the conversation between Starmer and Streeting reportedly took a different turn.

Starmer apologised to Wes Streeting, reporters have been informed. The conversation was brief, and they did not address the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under growing pressure to dismiss.

The Energy Secretary's Statement

In his morning media appearances, Ed Miliband stressed the need for the party to focus on national priorities rather than party divisions.

Clearly, I think the media briefing has been unhelpful, without doubt.

But my advice to the Labour party today is straightforward, which is we need to focus on the public, not our internal matters.

We were given a significant victory last July, a major opportunity to change our country. And we have a historic duty.

Economic News

Meanwhile, official figures revealed the UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, with the production sector especially affected by the recent Jaguar Land Rover cyber-attack.

Today's Agenda

• Morning: The National Health Service publishes its monthly data
• Morning: Wes Streeting visits the Liverpool area
• Morning: Rachel Reeves speaks to the journalists
• 11.30am: Number 10 conducts its regular lobby briefing
• Morning: The Prime Minister announces plans for the UK's first nuclear power project at Wylfa site on Anglesey