Streeting Allies Anticipate Leadership Challenge
Supporters of Wes Streeting expect the health secretary to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership as soon as tomorrow.
Streeting met the prime minister in 10 Downing Street this morning for less than 20 minutes, following days of intense speculation that he is preparing a bid to replace him.
The prime minister's spokesman stated that Sir Keir had "full confidence" in Streeting but declined to comment on the specifics of their meeting.
The BBC has spoken to two leading supporters of the health secretary who are confident that he will trigger a leadership election on Thursday, as well as others who expressed disappointment if Streeting were to withdraw from a challenge at this stage.
A supporter of Streeting remarked,
"If the health secretary did not challenge Starmer then 'we'll have knifed ourselves for nothing'."
Under Labour Party rules, Streeting would require the support of 81 MPs to force a vote of party members.
Sir Keir would automatically be a candidate without needing to solicit nominations himself. Other candidates would also need to secure 81 nominations.
Responding to a report in The Times that Streeting was preparing to resign from the cabinet and trigger a contest, a spokesman for the health secretary told the newspaper:
"Wes is the health secretary, he is proud of his record of falling waiting lists and a recovering NHS. He is not planning to say anything following his meeting with the prime minister that might distract from the King's Speech."
Streeting and Sir Keir met shortly before the Labour government set out its legislative agenda in the King's Speech, marking the start of a new parliamentary session.
Context of the Leadership Challenge
Streeting's next move is highly anticipated in Westminster after the prime minister faced an attempt by Labour MPs to oust him from Downing Street.
On Tuesday, four ministers resigned, including prominent MP Jess Phillips, and more than 80 Labour MPs urged Sir Keir to stand down, exposing deep divisions over the prime minister's future.
Sir Keir responded by stating he would "get on with governing," while his cabinet allies rallied behind him. More than 100 MPs signed a statement warning against a leadership contest.
However, the prime minister's authority has been weakened by the Labour revolt, which followed a poor set of election results last week.
Streeting has previously been open about his leadership ambitions and enjoys considerable support from Labour MPs, particularly those on the centre and right of the party.
The BBC has been informed that the prime minister's allies believed the health secretary would not be able to produce a list of 81 supporters during their meeting on Wednesday.
Some MPs on the party's right, who might have been expected to support Streeting, have signed the statement asserting that now is not the time for a leadership contest.
Additional Challenges for Sir Keir Starmer
Even if Streeting does not launch a leadership challenge, the prime minister faces other difficulties.
On Wednesday morning, Labour-affiliated unions withdrew their support for the prime minister, stating it was clear Sir Keir would not lead Labour into the next general election.
There are also other senior Labour politicians known to have ambitions to become Labour leader.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has strong support from Labour MPs and polls indicate he is the most popular Labour politician with voters.
However, Burnham is not currently an MP, and returning to the House of Commons would require winning a parliamentary by-election, a challenging process.
He applied to be Labour's candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election earlier this year but was blocked by Sir Keir's allies on the party's ruling body.
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