Wes Streeting was practically skipping up the steps of Downing Street for a crunch meeting with Sir Keir Starmer, according to a body language expert. The Health Secretary is believed to have told the under-pressure Prime Minister he is preparing to quit the Government, the first step to dethroning Starmer.
Body language expert Judi James told Metro: 'Streeting arrived walking at a fast but not rushed-paced march. His energy levels looked high, his arms swung in a gesture of confidence and the way he maintained eye contact with the cameras while showing a squared chin and a closed-lip asymmetric smile suggested a statesman-like sense of confidence. He leapt up the steps in two strides, looking keen to get to his meeting.'
What went on behind the closed black door of Number 10 remains secret but allies claim Streeting left the meeting still planning to trigger a Labour leadership contest on Thursday. 'Seventeen minutes later he emerged seemingly clinging onto the same signals of thinly smiling confidence, but his walk lacked the same natural sense of relaxed choreography,' Ms James added. 'His expression looked a little grimmer and his arm-swinging more forced as though his inner mood might have changed dramatically.'
Following his meeting with the Prime Minister, 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 as if business were carrying on as usual, talking up the Government's record on the NHS and saying nothing of the turmoil engulfing the party.
Asked after the meeting, the Prime Minister's spokesperson said the PM has 'full confidence' in the health secretary, even amid rumours of his impending resignation. He said: 'As I said, I am not going to get into the content of internal meetings, but the Prime Minister has full confidence in the Health Secretary.' He also said Keir Starmer was determined to 'deliver the change' people want to see.
Reactions and Analysis
Tom Baldwin, a former Labour Party director of communications and author of Starmer's biography, has blamed the Westminster bubble and media for falling into a 'self-indulgent bi-annual ritual of forcing a prime minister to quit'. He told Metro: 'He is one of the stubbornest, proudest and most obstinate people I have ever met, and he'll be hating every minute of this. You can see all the reporters rubbing their hands in glee outside of Downing Street, but this isn't an episode of The Traitors or the FA Cup final; this has real-world consequences. A leadership election now, when we are on the cusp of a global recession and facing war insecurity, looks nuts, and proves to the world how unserious we are as a country.'
What Happens if Starmer Resigns as Prime Minister?
The UK must have a Prime Minister at all times. As a result, if Starmer were to offer his resignation, he would likely continue to lead until a replacement is found. This would be done via a Labour leadership election, which would be automatically triggered were Starmer to stand down. This can take several weeks, meaning the sitting PM may remain in office for a while even after he has quit his post.
The leadership contest takes place in two stages. First, Labour MPs will put themselves forward as Starmer's potential replacements. All Labour MPs will then vote to whittle down the options until two candidates remain. At this point, Labour Party members will vote to choose their new leader, who will automatically become Prime Minister.
Streeting's potential resignation could set off a chain reaction leading to a leadership contest, with several MPs reportedly considering their positions. The coming days are expected to be crucial for Starmer's future as Prime Minister.
