Labour insider: ‘Someone to keep Farage out of No 10’ will come next | UK | News
The Express understands Wes Streeting has privately informed Sir Keir Starmer that he is making a case to replace him as Prime Minister; Meanwhile, the embattled leader faces a situation that could be decisive for the next 24 hours of his premiership.
He has reportedly signaled to Downing Street that he will not move directly against Sir Keir, but allies are putting together what he calls a leadership “case” to act as soon as a contest is triggered and is ready to launch a full campaign if the Prime Minister is sacked.
Internal turmoil threatens to overshadow Starmer’s Monday speech, in which he will vow to deepen ties with the EU and admit “step-by-step change will not cut it”.
Catherine West, a former minister, is understood to be preparing a formal challenge on Monday. He is backed by a growing bloc of 42 MPs at last count, including figures previously thought to be loyalists, who are demanding Sir Keir’s resignation or a timetable for departure.
What did Angela Rayner say about the Labor leadership?
Rayner chose Sunday to make his move and publicly called for Burnham to be given a way back to the House of Commons. The former deputy leader – speaking publicly for the first time since Thursday’s defeat – said it was time to “bring our best players to Parliament”, the Telegraph newspaper reported.
He also criticized the “toxic culture of favoritism” in No 10 and warned it could be Labour’s “last chance” to turn its fortunes around. But he failed to join more than 40 MPs who publicly demanded Sir Keir’s resignation.
Rayner is thought to be planning to compete if a competition is held, but he is not expected to challenge Sir Keir in the near future.
Burnham’s allies, meanwhile, are trying to delay any contest until she returns to Parliament, warning MPs they risk handing Downing Street to the Labor Right if they move too quickly.
How Wes Streeting plans to win the Labor leadership contest
Electability against Farage will be the backbone of any Streeting pitch; His team points to Labour’s dominance of Redbridge, which covers the east London district, as evidence that it can fend off Reformation from both directions.
By contrast, Streeting’s allies argue that Rayner’s anti-Reform credentials have been weakened by the collapse of Labour’s vote in Tameside (a council that overlaps his own Greater Manchester seat).
An ally of Streeting told The Telegraph: “Wes has made it clear to No 10 that he will not challenge Keir, but he is preparing a case if it all goes wrong. Like much of the party, he thinks Keir has the chance to determine how to turn things around this week. He is not plotting.”
The ally added: “He has shown this week that he can win. The results in Redbridge show Wes can beat his rivals on both the Left and the Right. If there is competition, Labor’s next leader must be someone who can keep Farage out of No 10.”
If Streeting launches a full campaign, it is expected to be built around five “pillars”, including specific policy proposals. The publication of NHS waiting time figures on Thursday is expected to further support the case, with data expected to show the health service is at or close to the 65 per cent target for non-urgent treatment within 18 weeks.
The Express understands Streeting’s last conversation with Sir Keir about the leadership took place before the extent of Thursday’s losses became clear.
