Wes Streeting has left Downing Street after a 20-minute showdown with Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday morning. The Health Secretary arrived at Number 10 to challenge the Prime Minister on how he intends to steer the party out of the current political turmoil ahead of the King's Speech.
Sir Keir is reportedly growing in confidence that he can survive the crisis, despite the resignation of four cabinet ministers and calls from more than 80 Labour MPs for him to step down. However, a fresh blow came as Labour's 11 affiliated unions issued a joint statement urging him to quit.
The question remains whether Streeting has the backing of 81 MPs needed to trigger a leadership challenge. Insiders suggest he does not yet have the numbers, and a coup is unlikely on the day the King announces the government's legislative agenda.
Union Backers Demand Change
The King's Speech truce appeared short-lived as the 11 unions affiliated to the Labour Party launched a devastating attack on the PM. In a joint statement, unions including Unite, Unison, and GMB said a plan must be put in place for the election of a new leader. They declared that Labour 'cannot continue on its current path.'
The statement read: 'Labour's affiliated unions have been clear that Labour cannot continue on its current path. Whilst we recognise progress has been made, such as aspects of the Employment Rights Act and the...'
Streeting's Brief Visit
Wes Streeting's arrival and departure from Downing Street were swift, lasting only 20 minutes. He left looking more serious and dejected than when he arrived. The Health Secretary was expected to ask the PM how he planned to get the party out of the mess, while Starmer likely urged him to focus on his job.
Earlier, Sky News reported that the pair were scheduled to meet just before the King's Speech. According to The Times, Streeting planned to ask the PM 'how he plans to get out of this mess.'
Starmer's Support and Opposition
Despite the turmoil, Sir Keir has rallied support from some quarters. Paymaster General Nick Thomas-Symonds publicly backed the Prime Minister, stating: 'We have to reject both panic and comfort, and put country before party.' He became the ninth cabinet minister to express support, but over a dozen have yet to respond to calls for the PM to quit.
In a show of support, 110 Labour MPs signed a statement opposing a leadership contest. It read: 'Last week we had a devastatingly tough set of election results. It shows we have a hard job ahead to win back trust from the electorate. That job needs to start today – with all of us working together to deliver the change the country needs. We must focus on that. This is no time for a leadership contest.'
However, at least 87 MPs have publicly called for Sir Keir to go. Among them is Streeting ally Zubir Ahmed, who resigned from the government, stating: 'It is clear from recent days, that the public across the UK has now irretrievably lost confidence in you as Prime Minister.'
King's Speech Looms
The King's Speech, delivered by King Charles III in the House of Lords, is expected to include more than 35 bills and draft bills. These cover plans to nationalise British Steel, as well as NHS and police reforms. The event is seen as a potential truce between warring Labour factions, but all eyes will be on how Starmer performs in the Commons later.
Culture Minister Ian Murray urged calm, saying a 'knee-jerk' leadership challenge would be the 'complete antidote' to improving the country. He told the BBC that Labour should not be 'talking to ourselves when we should be talking to the country.'
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary David Lammy criticised colleagues calling for Starmer's resignation, stating: 'We must put country before party. The only person that benefits from the Labour party navel gazing is Nigel Farage and the populist right.'
