Former Conservative cabinet minister Michael Gove has ignited Westminster speculation by claiming that Angela Rayner is in a stronger position than Wes Streeting to mount a successful leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer. He dismissed rumours of a political pact between the two senior Labour figures, suggesting the Health Secretary is mistaken if he believes the former Deputy Prime Minister would play a supporting role.
Gove Dismisses 'Political Girlfriend' Pact Rumours
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Lord Gove, now Editor of The Spectator, addressed reports that MPs close to Wes Streeting had approached Angela Rayner about a potential alliance. The Telegraph had reported that discussions over a pact to challenge the Prime Minister were underway. Gove, drawing on his experience of multiple Tory leadership contests, described the current political manoeuvring as "a sure sign of decline for the Prime Minister" and a feeling of "déjà vu".
He argued that while Streeting performed well at the recent Labour Party conference by praising Rayner and tacking to the left on issues like Gaza, his calculations were flawed. "I think that Wes Streeting is mistaken if he thinks that Angela Rayner is going to play essentially the role of political girlfriend to his ambitions," Gove stated. "I actually think that Angela Rayner is in a better position than Wes Streeting to win any leadership election."
Rayner's Position and Miliband Ruled Out
Gove further suggested that Rayner would not be swayed by promises of a future cabinet role, despite the recent controversies over her tax affairs. "The idea that just because she's had the difficulties she did over tax that she is going to meekly accept Wes Streeting as her route back to respectability - I don't think she will accept," he warned. Sources close to Rayner have also reportedly ruled out any deal, stating she would not be "played like a pawn".
Separately, Gove ruled out another potential contender, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. Although Miliband leads in polls of Labour members, Gove said, "I don't think he would want to go for the leadership again." He acknowledged Miliband's popularity but cited his clear sense of mission in his current role.
Mounting Speculation of an Inevitable Challenge
The analysis from within media circles suggests the speculation is more than just rumour. Tom McTague, Editor of the New Statesman, said he did not believe Streeting expected Rayner to "lie down", but confirmed that a leadership challenge is now the prevailing expectation. "It is currently the standard conventional wisdom of Labour MPs and Labour cabinet members," McTague explained. "They are expecting a challenge. They don't think this can go on any longer and they are starting to position."
This internal positioning follows a period described as a "breakdown of order and direction" within the government, with ministers increasingly "freelancing" and setting out their own ideas. A spokesperson for Wes Streeting has denied the claims of a pact as "completely untrue". Last month, Sir Keir Starmer himself dismissed talk of leadership challenges as a "wasted" use of time, following anonymous briefings against him which he labelled "toxic".
