The Government was thrown into turmoil tonight as Wes Streeting was compelled to deny orchestrating a coup against Keir Starmer.
Rumours about the Prime Minister’s future escalated after Downing Street launched an unprecedented effort to bolster his leadership amid concerns that his position might be in jeopardy.
Supporters of the PM attempted to deter potential conspirators by stating it would be reckless to oust Mr Starman, and made it clear he would resist any leadership challenge. However, critics accused No10 of retreating into “complete bunker mode” – and claimed they have “shot themselves in the face”.
Mr Streeting was among the Cabinet Ministers identified as potential conspirators against the PM, with fears in No10 that Mr Starmer could face some sort of challenge following the Budget on 26 November.
The Health Secretary’s spokesperson was obliged to issue an extraordinary denial tonight, asserting the allegations were “categorically untrue”, reports the Mirror.
“Wes’s focus has entirely been on reducing waiting lists for the first time in 15 years, recruiting an additional 2,500 GPs, and rebuilding the NHS that saved his life,” the spokesperson stated.
Some briefings against Mr Streeting were attributed to No10. However, one Downing Street insider praised him as a brilliant Health Secretary and dismissed the rumours as speculation.
The dispute arises as MPs express concerns while Mr Starmer strives to improve Labour’s poll ratings, ahead of a crucial Budget where Chancellor Rachel Reeves is considering breaking Labour’s pledge to shield working people from tax hikes.
In an awkwardly timed event, Mr Streeting is scheduled to deliver a significant speech on the NHS on Wednesday and conduct a morning broadcast round for the Government.
A Government source revealed to the Mirror: “They’ve gone into complete bunker mode. It’s tin foil hat time.
“There are people around Keir – from when we were in opposition to No10 – going rogue and doing extremely damaging briefings. They did it with Bridget [Phillipson], Lisa [Nandy], Angela [Rayner], now it’s Wes.”
A Labour MP commented: “[It’s] pretty stupid because they’ve fired their own starting pistol and shot themselves in the face.”
The backbencher stated: “I was in tea room earlier and every single MP is worried about the Budget. But a few also said so long as if they don’t just take, they give back in other ways, they could live with breaking manifesto pledge”.
They further added: “Wes has massive support in then PLP.”