Keir Starmer is fighting to suppress a leadership challenge from Wes Streeting after the Health Secretary informed allies he was ready to initiate a coup. The Prime Minister's position is precarious following Labour's poor performance in local elections, with over 80 MPs publicly demanding his resignation and approximately 110 signing a letter supporting him.
Downing Street Showdown
Streeting is on the verge of resignation after a 16-minute meeting with Starmer at Downing Street on Wednesday morning. The Health Secretary's spokesman did not deny the claims, stating: "Wes is the Health Secretary, he is proud of his record of falling waiting lists and a recovering NHS. He is not planning to say anything following his meeting with the Prime Minister that might distract from the King's Speech." Streeting had been expected to discuss new NHS figures on Thursday, but speculation about a leadership bid has raised questions.
Party in Chaos
The prospect of a challenge has plunged the Labour Party into disarray. Streeting's camp is working to secure the 81 MP backers needed to trigger a leadership contest. Starmer went on the offensive, meeting with MPs and ministers to dissuade them from supporting a challenge. Cabinet ministers, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, were deployed to Parliament's tearooms to warn that a leadership contest could paralyze the government for months.
Rival figures such as Zubir Ahmed, a Streeting ally who resigned as a health minister, and former Deputy PM Angela Rayner were also seen. Meanwhile, MPs on the soft-left are pushing Labour's ruling body to allow Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to run in a contest. Burnham needs a route back to Parliament, and his allies claim he has a seat lined up, though no public announcement has been made.
Union Pressure
Starmer faced a significant blow when Labour's union backers called for a plan to replace him before the next election. The TULO group, representing 11 affiliated unions including Unite, GMB, and Unison, stated: "It's clear that the Prime Minister will not lead Labour into the next election, and at some stage a plan will have to be put in place for the election of a new Leader." This move suggests a potential shift towards Burnham, who was blocked from running in the Gorton and Denton by-election in February.
A source with links to the NEC commented: "I would've thought that the joint statement from the unions this morning would be a strong indicator that the NEC wouldn't block Andy. Thinking about the make-up of NEC officers - you've got someone from the GMB, someone from USDAW - so that statement that came out from the unions would make you think there's been a bit of a potential shift there."
Left-Wing Candidates
Left-wingers are determined to field a candidate to block Streeting, but MPs are divided on whether to support Angela Rayner or former leader Ed Miliband if Burnham is locked out. There is anger within the government at Streeting's actions, with one aide saying: "I'm angry with how it's played out. Like how we say we're different to the Tories and then do the same thing. This could all be done behind closed doors. But there's an element of okay what comes next?" Another source added: "Wes is going to flame out. What were they thinking?"
The situation remains fluid, with rival camps working Parliament's tearooms and bars as Starmer urges MPs to step back from triggering a contest that could spell chaos for the country.
