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Senior Labour Party figure Ed Miliband has called for the party to put aside party conflicts after leader Sir Keir Starmer directly expressed regret to health minister Wes Streeting MP over hostile briefings originating from Downing Street.

Important Events

• Ed Miliband confirms Starmer will dismiss the No 10 staffer responsible for briefing against Wes Streeting if found
• Miliband rules out any leadership aspirations, saying his past experience as Labour leader was the "best inoculation" against seeking the role again
• UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the July-September period, impacted by the Jaguar Land Rover security breach

Context

The political turmoil began after reports circulated about negative briefings from the Prime Minister's allies targeting the Health Secretary. Although initial attempts to dismiss the situation, the discussion between the PM and the health minister apparently took a more serious direction.

The Prime Minister expressed regret to Wes Streeting, the media have been told. The conversation was brief, and they did not talk about the chief of staff, whom the PM is now under increasing scrutiny to remove.

The Energy Secretary's Response

In his early morning broadcast appearances, Miliband emphasized the need for the Labour Party to focus on national priorities rather than party conflicts.

Look, I think the backgrounding has been damaging, no question.

But my message to the party today is straightforward, which is we need to prioritize the country, not our internal matters.

We were given a historic mandate last July, a major opportunity to improve our country. And we have a historic responsibility.

Economic News

Meanwhile, official statistics revealed the UK economy expanded by just 0.1% in the third quarter, with the production industry especially hit by the recently reported JLR cyber-attack.

The Day's Schedule

• 9.30am: The National Health Service publishes its monthly statistics
• Today: The Health Secretary is visiting the Liverpool area
• Today: The Chancellor speaks to the journalists
• 11.30am: Downing Street holds its daily media briefing
• Today: Keir Starmer announces plans for the UK's first small modular reactor facility at Wylfa site on Anglesey