Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has delivered a stark warning to his Cabinet colleagues, urging them to stop talking about themselves and refocus on delivering for the British people.
Cabinet Told to End Distractions
The Prime Minister's intervention comes after a turbulent period for the government, marked by internal briefings about a potential leadership challenge and significant leaks about the upcoming Budget. During Tuesday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Starmer emphasised that recent distractions had shifted the government's focus from where it mattered most.
According to an official readout from Number 10, Starmer told ministers: "The prime minister said people were rightly impatient for change and we had to deliver that, rather than talk about ourselves." He stressed the importance of working as one unified team to deliver opportunity and security while honouring their electoral mandate.
Leadership Rumours and Budget U-turns
The recent turmoil stems from briefings suggesting Health Secretary Wes Streeting was preparing a leadership bid against Starmer - an allegation the Health Secretary has firmly denied. The situation escalated when Sir Keir felt compelled to use an interview with the Mirror to insist he would lead Labour into the next general election.
Compounding the government's difficulties, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves was forced to perform a U-turn on apparent plans to increase income tax in the forthcoming Budget. The government is currently seeking ways to address significant gaps in public finances.
Public and Party Concerns
Recent polling data from YouGov reveals concerning figures for the Prime Minister's standing within his own party. The survey indicates that 23% of Labour voters believe Starmer should resign immediately, while a further 22% think he should step down before the next election, scheduled for 2029 at the latest.
Only 34% of Labour supporters believe Starmer should lead the party into the next general election, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing the Prime Minister as he seeks to maintain party unity.
When questioned about whether discussing his own leadership demonstrated distraction, Starmer's spokesman defended the Prime Minister, stating: "The PM, as that interview indicates, is entirely focused on delivering for the British people."
The Number 10 operation itself came under scrutiny during the recent infighting, though the Prime Minister later confirmed he had received assurances that no one within Downing Street was responsible for the damaging briefings about Wes Streeting's alleged leadership ambitions.
