Downing Street has launched an extraordinary operation to protect Sir Keir Starmer amid fears that he is vulnerable to a leadership challenge following the budget or the May local elections. The prime minister’s most senior political aides warned that any attempt to oust him would be “reckless” and “dangerous”, potentially destabilising markets, international relationships and the Labour party.
Allies insisted that Starmer would fight any leadership contest, despite speculation that MPs could move against him. A bitter row broke out after No 10 sources said they had grown concerned over rumours that Health Secretary Wes Streeting could be planning a coup – a move fiercely denied by Streeting. Senior figures claimed Streeting had 50 frontbenchers willing to stand down if the budget landed badly.
Cabinet ministers described Downing Street’s intervention as a “stop Wes” strategy designed to warn off rivals, including Angela Rayner, Shabana Mahmood and Ed Miliband. One source said No 10 had gone into “full bunker mode”, turning on loyal cabinet members for no reason. The warnings were also aimed at jittery Labour MPs worried about breaking manifesto pledges, potential wipeout at the May elections, and Starmer’s ability to deliver change.
One senior ally said a leadership challenge just 18 months into government would destabilise the markets, allies and public trust. “The party would not recover for a generation,” they added. Another No 10 source warned that ousting the prime minister would be “very destabilising” and “reckless”, urging MPs to think of the consequences.
