In an extraordinary turn of events, Keir Starmer and his Downing Street team have effectively mounted a leadership challenge against the prime minister himself. The move, which has left Westminster baffled, appears to be an act of self-harm on an almost unimaginable scale.
Late on Tuesday night, Downing Street briefed the Guardian that cabinet members, including Wes Streeting, Shabana Mahmood, and Ed Miliband, were plotting to oust Starmer. The story suggested a coup was imminent after the budget, but that Starmer was ready to fight back. However, sources have indicated there was no such plot, and the claims were a paranoid fantasy.
While Streeting and Mahmood may have leadership ambitions, neither has a campaign team ready. Starmer's decision to attack his own colleagues has backfired badly, turning his leadership into a live issue. Even those who were not discussing his replacement are now doing so.
The timing was particularly poor, as the briefing came the evening before Streeting was due to do the morning media round. Streeting handled the questions with grace and humour, deflecting talk of a leadership bid and emerging stronger than before.
At Prime Minister's Questions, Starmer looked distracted and isolated. With less than 18 months in power, his move has drawn comparisons to Liz Truss's ill-fated tenure, leaving many to wonder what on earth is going on in Number 10.
