Starmer has ‘full confidence’ in Streeting despite leadership challenge talk
Sir Keir Starmer retains “full confidence” in Wes Streeting as Health Secretary, even as he looks set to resign in a bid to launch a leadership challenge.
Mr Streeting confronted his boss over the crisis engulfing Labour as the pair met for crunch talks – which lasted less than 20 minutes – in Downing Street ahead of the King’s Speech on Wednesday. The Cabinet minister is believed to have told allies he is preparing to quit Government on Thursday and run for the top job. Reports of Mr Streeting’s plan emerged shortly before the King’s Speech, threatening to overshadow the Government’s efforts to carry on as usual by setting out its legislative agenda for the coming parliamentary session. Asked whether the Prime Minister still has confidence in the Health Secretary, his spokesman told reporters: “Yes,” confirming he was still in post. The official declined to “get into the content of internal meetings” when asked for details of what was discussed, adding: “But the Prime Minister has full confidence in the Health Secretary.” The spokesman evaded a question on whether Mr Streeting would remain Health Secretary for the rest of the week, reiterating instead that Sir Keir has “full confidence” in him. Sir Keir has managed to cling on to power and see off an immediate threat to his leadership in the last few days, despite the resignation of four ministers, some of whom are close to Mr Streeting, and at least 86 MPs demanding he stands down. The Labour Party has descended into open division over his future, with more than 100 other MPs signing a statement backing Sir Keir and warning “this is no time for a leadership contest”. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch used the King’s Speech debate to mock Sir Keir for being “in office, but not in power”. “It is clear his authority has gone and that he will not be able to deliver what little there is in this King’s Speech,” she said. The Labour leader did not react as she spoke, but used his turn to joke about the leadership plotting. He said backbencher Naz Shah’s book had a list of endorsements “reaching well over 100 members”, adding “at last, a list that we could all get behind” Mr Streeting, sitting on the front bench, albeit at some distance from the Prime Minister, could be seen laughing along to his jokes. Following his morning meeting with Sir Keir, Mr Streeting ignored reporters shouting questions at him as he made his way out of No 10. Mr Streeting’s team failed to deny claims he was poised to quit and the minister posted on X on Wednesday as if business were carrying on as usual, talking up the Government’s record on the NHS and saying nothing of the turmoil within the party. Unlike other senior ministers, he did not take to social media to reiterate his support for the Prime Minister on Tuesday nor did he stop to voice his backing for Sir Keir as he left the weekly Cabinet meeting that morning. One Labour MP told the Press Association: “This is hugely high risk for Wes. He is clearly trying to force the Prime Minister to stand aside. “But if Keir fights Wes in a leadership race as is likely then Wes’s political career could be finished.” Cabinet members have been seen by MPs working the members’ tea room in the past two days, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves and other senior figures who are rarely there. Also spotted was Zubir Ahmed, an ally of Mr Streeting who quit as a health minister on Tuesday, as well as former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and allies. During Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting in Downing Street, the Prime Minister dug in and told Cabinet there was a process for challenging a leader which had not been triggered. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy also questioned whether rivals had secured the backing of the 81 MPs needed to launch a contest. But on Wednesday morning, unions pulled their support, saying it was clear that Sir Keir would not lead Labour into the next election. After the King’s Speech, some Cabinet ministers gave Sir Keir their full-throated backing, with Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn telling Sky News that Labour MPs should “rally behind the Prime Minister”. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden told the BBC it was “realistic” to expect Sir Keir to lead the party into the next election. Meanwhile, backers of another potential leadership contender, Andy Burnham, suggested they would push Labour’s ruling national executive committee (NEC) to allow for his inclusion by extending the timetable for any contest. The Greater Manchester mayor, who is favoured by the soft left of the party, would first need an MP willing to stand aside so he could fight a by-election to try to re-enter Parliament. A senior Labour MP who backs Mr Burnham said: “The NEC decides the timetable so Wes triggering doesn’t stop Andy contesting. “It would be outrageous for them to try and block the most popular politician in the country from standing.”
Published: by Radio NewsHub