Health Secretary Wes Streeting has denied leading a plot to oust Prime Minister Keir Starmer and called for those briefing against him from Downing Street to be sacked, widening a significant rift at the top of government. Streeting condemned the anonymous briefings as 'self-defeating' and indicative of a toxic culture inside No 10, rebuking senior aides for not following Starmer's model of leadership.
The controversy follows a Guardian report that Downing Street had launched an operation to protect Starmer against a potential leadership challenge after the budget or May local elections, with Streeting reportedly seen as a possible contender. Starmer's allies warned that any 'reckless' attempt to oust him could affect markets and international relationships, as UK government borrowing costs rose on Wednesday amid the speculation.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Streeting noted that the attacks on him showed Lucy Powell was right about the culture of No 10, and commended the briefer for targeting a man instead of women in the cabinet. Powell, elected Labour's deputy leader last month, has previously called for culture change and criticised Morgan McSweeney, Starmer's top aide.
Streeting expressed frustration that the internal row distracted from the government's achievements after over a year in office, likening the briefings to conspiracy theories. He ruled out demanding Starmer's resignation after the budget, and his spokesperson denied suggestions he had backing from 50 frontbenchers willing to quit if the budget landed poorly.
Cabinet ministers told the Guardian that Streeting was one of several Labour figures seen as 'on manoeuvres' for the leadership, but none were likely to move against Starmer now. The Downing Street intervention was interpreted as a 'stop Wes' strategy to warn off potential rivals, including Angela Rayner, Shabana Mahmood, and Ed Miliband.
