Starmer ‘more and more assured’ of surviving Labour civil struggle as key challenger ‘blows it’
Allies of possible Labour leadership candidate Wes Streeting has claimed the Health Secretary has ‘blown it’ as the Prime Minister is growing in confidence
Wes Streeting could be a likely challenger to Starmer’s leadership (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Keir Starmer is reportedly becoming more confident he’ll survive calls to step down as Prime Minister as allies of a potential leadership candidate claim they have “blown it.”
Labour MPs have eyed a number of potential leaders to replace Starmer as party leader, including Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner and Health Secretary Wes Streeting. However, Labour sources have now claimed Wes Streeting is struggling to amass the 81 MPs he needs to formally launch a leadership bid.
The development comes after sources close to the No.10 said the PM issued an ultimatum to his disgruntled cabinet members, telling them to “put up or shut up,” reports the Guardian.
The publication also reports that Starmer is now growing “increasingly confident” he’ll weather this storm.
One ally of Wes Streeting has claimed the MP has “blown it” and missed any chance he might have had of a leadership run, Bloomberg UK reports.
One loyalist cabinet minister has dismissed a potential Streeting leadership run and said: “After all that, it’s looking like Wes may not have the numbers after all. I’m pleased and furious at the same time. The best thing for him now is to come out with some dignity and end the drama,” reports the Guardian.
The source has claimed the MP lost support today from other Labour members who may have backed him.
The development comes as Angela Rayner reportedly told Labour MPs she’s ready to launch a leadership campaign despite still being under investigation over her tax affairs. Rayner is thought to be ready to make a leadership bid, despite throwing her support behind Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
One Labour source told the Daily Mail: “Angie was struggling for support, but she will be a big beneficiary if things move quickly.” The source added: “Publicly, she is making very loud representations that Andy should be allowed back. But she is also texting everyone saying she is ready to go.
“If Andy does get back, she would probably have to row in behind him. But there is a scenario where he can’t get back in time and then, as she sees it, the hand of history falls on her shoulder.”
However another Labour Party source has questioned the potential appointment of Rayner due to her previously resigning from the post of Deputy Prime Minister after she was hit with a scandal over tax affairs. The source said: “Do people really want to replace one scandal-hit leader with another?”
Labour MPs ’ support of Starmer has continued to buckle as other senior Labour ministers, such as Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips, Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones and Health Minister Zubir Ahmed, all resigned earlier today.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here .
