Wes Streeting denies plot to oust Starmer as Labour civil war explodes | UK | News
The government was thrown into turmoil tonight after Wes Streeting was forced to deny he was planning a coup against Keir Starmer.
Rumors about the Prime Minister’s future increased after Downing Street launched an unprecedented effort to strengthen his leadership amid concerns his position could be jeopardized.
The prime minister’s supporters sought to deter potential plotters by stating that it would be reckless to oust Mr Starman and made clear that he would resist any leadership challenge. But critics accused No10 of going into “full bunker mode” and claimed they were “shooting themselves in the face”.
Mr Streeting was among Cabinet Ministers identified as potential plotters against the Prime Minister, and there were fears in No10 that Mr Starmer could face some kind 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 false”. reports the Mirror.
“Wes’s focus has been entirely on reducing 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 attributed to No10. But a Downing Street insider praised him as a brilliant Health Secretary and dismissed the rumors as speculation.
The dispute comes as MPs voice concerns as Mr Starmer tries to improve Labour’s poll ratings ahead of a crucial Budget in which Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering breaking Labor’s promise to protect working people from tax rises.
In an oddly timed event, Mr Streeting is scheduled to give a major speech about the NHS and a morning broadcast tour for the Government on Wednesday.
A Government source told the Mirror: “They’ve gone into full shelter mode. It’s tinfoil hat time.”
“Keir has had people around him – ever since we were against No10 – who cheat and give extremely damaging briefings. They did this with Bridget. [Phillipson]Lisa [Nandy]Angela [Rayner]Now it’s Wes’ turn.”
A Labor MP commented: “[It’s] It’s pretty stupid because they fired their own starting pistol and shot themselves in the face.”
The backbencher said: “I’ve been in the tea room before and every MP is worried about the Budget. But a few also said it was as if they could live with breaking their manifesto commitments as long as they didn’t just take but gave back in other ways.”
They added: “Wes had huge support in the PLP at the time.”
