Speculation about Keir Starmer’s future exploded after Downing Street mounted an extraordinary bid to shore up his leadership – and said he would fight to stay in No10
The Government plunged into civil war tonight as Wes Streeting was forced to deny plotting a coup against Keir Starmer.
Speculation about the Prime Minister’s future exploded after Downing Street mounted an extraordinary bid to shore up his leadership amid fears his position could be under threat.
Allies of the PM sought to warn of plotters by saying it would be irresponsible to displace Mr Starmer and made it clear he would fight any leadership challenge. But critics accused No10 of going into “complete bunker mode” – and said they have “shot themselves in the face”.
Mr Streeting was among the Cabinet Ministers named as possible plotters against the PM amid fears in No10 that Mr Starmer could face some sort of challenge after the Budget on November 26.
The Health Secretary’s spokesman was forced to issue an extraordinary denial tonight, saying the claims were “categorically untrue”.
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“Wes’s focus has entirely been on cutting waiting lists for the first time in 15 years, recruiting 2,500 more GPs, and rebuilding the NHS that saved his life,” the spokesman said.
Some briefings against Mr Streeting were blamed on No10. But one Downing Street insider described him as a brilliant Health Secretary and brushed off the rumours as speculation.
The row comes amid jitters from MPs as Mr Starmer battles to turn around Labour’s poll ratings – and ahead of a make-or-break Budget, where Chancellor Rachel Reeves is weighing up breaking Labour’s commitment to protect working people from tax hikes.
In particularly awkward timing, Mr Streeting is due to make a major speech on the NHS on Wednesday and to do a morning broadcast round for the Government.
One Government source told the Mirror: “They’ve gone into complete bunker mode. It’s tin foil hat time.
“There are a people around Keir – from when we were in opposition to No10 – going rogue and doing extremely damaging briefings. They did it with Bridget [Phillipson], Lisa [Nandy], Angela [Rayner], now it’s Wes.”
A Labour MP said: “[It’s] pretty stupid because they’ve fired their own starting pistol and shot themselves in the face.”
The backbencher said: “I was in tea room earlier and every single MP is worried about the Budget. But a few also said so long as if they don’t just take, they give back in other ways, they could live with breaking manifesto pledge
They added: “Wes has massive support in then PLP.”