Allies of Health Secretary Wes Streeting anticipate he will move to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership within weeks, despite Streeting publicly insisting he backs Starmer and has no intention of opposing him. This revelation comes amid a turbulent period in Westminster, following denouncements from Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and the loss of Starmer's communications director.
Public Displays of Unity Mask Underlying Tensions
On Tuesday, Starmer sought to reassert his authority over the party, declaring he would "never walk away" from his mission to transform the UK. He received visible support from both Streeting and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who called for unity and collective effort. However, MPs close to Streeting assert that his loyalty is merely a facade, with one stating, "Nothing has changed. There was a big performance of unity yesterday but Keir is no safer than he was yesterday."
Timing and Strategy for a Leadership Bid
According to sources, Streeting plans to act swiftly after the Gorton and Denton byelection later this month, aiming to pre-empt a potential challenge from his likely rival, Angela Rayner. Rayner is currently awaiting the outcome of an investigation into her property taxes, which could influence her candidacy. One MP emphasised the urgency, saying, "We need to act quickly. There is a big risk that we meander and end up in this tepid decline where we all make ourselves feel better but a Reform government becomes inevitable."
Another backbencher highlighted public sentiment, noting, "The reality is the public does not like or trust Keir Starmer. Once we have the results of the local elections, it will become unavoidably clear that something bigger needs to change." This perspective contrasts sharply with the cabinet's public show of solidarity, where Streeting told the BBC, "The prime minister has got my full support. He is leading our country through an enormous set of challenges and people have got to recognise the integrity with which he does that."
Internal Party Dynamics and Speculation
Starmer chaired a lengthy cabinet meeting on Tuesday, described by a source as a "frank and broad" discussion on the prime minister's leadership challenges. Following this, Streeting and Starmer held a private one-on-one meeting, reportedly to clear the air between them. Despite this, government officials are investigating whether there was any coordination between Streeting and Sarwar, whose call for Starmer's resignation sparked the recent crisis.
One senior minister suggested, "There were junior ministers and PPSs ready to go. It went off half cocked. There was a plan, it just didn't work." Others, however, dismiss this theory, pointing out that Streeting was giving an interview to Sky News in support of Starmer at the time of Sarwar's statement. A minister commented, "No 10 seems to have an obsession with Wes. People are saying that he bottled it without any evidence he was going for it."
Historical Parallels and Future Prospects
Some draw comparisons to past political manoeuvres, such as James Purnell's resignation under Gordon Brown, which failed to trigger a leadership bid. A Downing Street source remarked, "Wes just did not move, this all feels very James Purnell." Meanwhile, MPs believe Starmer's future hinges on the outcomes of the upcoming byelection and local elections in May. One noted, "Keir is there but he can't stay for long. His name keeps coming up on the doorstep – people hate him."
As the Labour Party navigates these internal conflicts, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Streeting will launch a formal challenge or if Starmer can solidify his position amidst growing dissent.
