Starmer Accused of Plotting to Sack Streeting Amid Labour Leadership Turmoil
Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of formulating plans to dismiss Health Secretary Wes Streeting over allegations that Streeting is scheming to seize the Prime Minister's position. The claims emerged on Saturday, suggesting Starmer aims to demonstrate strength by removing Streeting while simultaneously attempting to appease more left-wing factions within the Labour Party by reinstating former deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
Reshuffle Plan Denounced as 'Punishment Beating'
This purported strategy, which surfaced just ahead of the critical Gorton and Denton by-election scheduled for Thursday, has been sharply criticised by Labour MPs. One MP condemned it as a 'punishment beating disguised as a reshuffle', arguing it is designed to divert attention from Labour's anticipated poor performance in the upcoming polls. Another MP warned that sacking Streeting would be 'quite mad', as it could provoke a genuine leadership challenge—a threat Starmer narrowly avoided earlier this month.
According to sources, Starmer is keen to show strength and eliminate Streeting, while also currying favour with left-wing members by bringing Rayner back into the fold. 'He's always said he wants her back,' one Labour MP revealed. However, there is debate over timing, with some advising Starmer to act immediately, while others caution he should wait until Rayner's tax investigation is resolved.
Background of Leadership Instability
The allegations come barely two weeks after Starmer managed to stave off immediate threats to his leadership. This followed a growing controversy over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, despite Mandelson's known connections to the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The fallout from this decision severely weakened Starmer, leading to the resignation of his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, and public calls for his resignation from Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.
Insiders suggest Starmer survived these challenges primarily because neither Streeting nor Rayner were prepared to mount a leadership bid at that time. Instead, they reportedly prefer to let the Prime Minister shoulder the blame for potential defeats in this week's by-election and the upcoming May elections.
Rayner's Tax Investigation and Streeting's Links
Angela Rayner is currently awaiting the outcome of an HMRC investigation into alleged unpaid stamp duty totalling £40,000 on her new £800,000 flat in Hove. This issue forced her resignation from the Cabinet last year. Her supporters privately predict she will be exonerated, claiming the tax bill oversight was an 'inadvertent error'.
Meanwhile, critics of Wes Streeting argue that his leadership aspirations have been damaged by his past associations with Lord Mandelson, though Streeting has denied they were close friends. In November, Streeting angrily refuted claims he was manoeuvring against Starmer, and his supporters have again denied any plotting against the Prime Minister.
Downing Street Dismisses Claims
Downing Street has firmly rejected the allegations, with a Number 10 source labelling them as 'utter nonsense' and 'not the view of the PM or anyone in Number 10'. The source added, 'Wes is doing a great job as Health Secretary, cutting waiting lists to their lowest level in three years.' This statement underscores the official line that Streeting remains a valued member of the Cabinet, despite the swirling rumours of internal discord.
