Keir Starmer’s premiership is on a knife-edge after four ministers dramatically stepped down with Angela Rayner ‘willing to act’ to stop Wes Streeting in his tracks.
So far more than 80 MPs have publicly called for the PM to go – but he has told his Cabinet he won’t resign. In order to trigger a leadership race, 81 MPs need to get behind a single challenger, which is some way from happening.
The PM admitted the last few days had “destabilised” the Government, but said the process for challenging the Labour leader hadn’t been triggered, so he is going to “get on with governing”. But No10 has been rocked by the resignations of ministers Miatta Fahnbulleh, Jess Phillips, Alex Davies-Jones and Zubir Ahmed.
In a blistering resignation letter, Ms Phillips wrote: “Whilst progress has been made, we have not acted with the vision, pace and ambition that our mandate for change demands of us.”
But more than 100 backbenchers are understood to have signed a letter in support of Mr Starmer while a source said Ms Rayner could throw her hat in the ring to take on Mr Streeting if a leadership contest was called.
New UpdatesToday22:24 BST
The Mirror’s Political Editor Lizzy Buchan writes…
Angela Rayner could throw her hat in the ring to take on Wes Streeting if a leadership contest was called quickly, the Mirror understands.
The former Deputy PM appeared to have put her own ambitions on ice as she called for the path to be cleared for Andy Burnham to return to Westminster.
But Ms Rayner could step forward if Mr Streeting tried to force a rapid succession before the Greater Manchester Mayor finds a path back to Parliament.
Mr Burnham’s allies have been signalling he has his eyes on a Commons seat but the silence from his camp has triggered scepticism he has one lined up.
This leaves Ms Rayner as one of the few viable candidates from the soft left flank of the Labour Party to take on Mr Streeting.
A Labour insider said: “He’s [Keir Starmer] has done the sensible thing in trying to flush Wes out. If he doesn’t follow through, it looks like he’s completely bottled it. It’s a moment to put up or shut up.”
A handful of Mr Streeting’s allies quit their ministerial posts today, triggering speculation he could be plotting a move.
But an ally of Rayner said: “We need to ward off Wes.”
Ms Rayner is still weighed down by an unresolved HMRC probe into her tax affairs after she admitted to underpaying tax on her £800,000 seaside flat.
But the source added: “If that’s what it takes to stop Wes, she will be willing to act.”
Lizzy BuchanToday22:14 BST
A throwback photo posted 11 years ago of Keir Starmer, Wes Streeting and Catherine West in the Commons chamber together has resurfaced.
Mr Starmer posted the image on his first day as an elected MP back in 2015.
The tweet has provoked plenty of comment on social media ahead of Wednesday morning’s crunch meeting.
Sam Elliott-GibbsToday22:07 BST
Mirror associate Editor Kevin Maguire gives his take on another dramatic day
“Keir Starmer holds a weakening hand so the Prime Minister needs to play remaining cards smartly to have any chance of surviving as odds shorten on the end of his Downing Street tenancy.
“Adopting a poker-face to stare down Labour rebels and gamble on the enemy within folding requires nerves of steel and political guile he’s rarely displayed in No 10.
“Gordon Brown when Prime Minister skilfully and narrowly trumped a hat-trick of coup attempts, including Cabinet resignations, in 2008, 2009 and 2010. So you have to wonder if the great clunking fist’s global finance envoy role includes advice on how to smash upstarts.”
Read Kevin Maguire’s column here.
Sam Elliott-GibbsToday22:02 BST
Donald Trump has warned Sir Keir Starmer he is “windmilling the country to death” and said it was up to the Prime Minister to decide what happens next.
The US president also said the UK needed to get “tough on immigration”. Speaking at the White House before flying to China, Mr Trump said: “Well, my advice to him has always been, open up your oil in the North Sea.
“You got one of the great oil finds anywhere in the world, and you’re not using it, they’re not allowed to use it, and it’s one of the best in the world, among the best oils in the world. Open up your oil in the North Sea and get tough on immigration. Europe is being very, very hurt by immigration all over Europe.”
Asked whether the Prime Minister should stay in office or quit, Mr Trump added: “That’s up to him, but I told him from day one, you’re getting killed on energy.“You’re windmilling your country to death. Open up the North Sea. You have one of the greatest sources of energy in the world.”
Donald Trump’s friendship with Keir Starmer has disintegrated(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Buckingham Palace “privately” asked No10 whether the King’s Speech should go ahead on Wednesday, it has been claimed.
The Monarch will address the nation tomorrow at the House of Lords amid the on-going leadership crisis.
POLITICO report a royal source saying: “The Palace view is ‘we do not want to be any part of this conversation – do not bring us into it’…”.
Sam Elliott-GibbsToday22:00 BST
Wes Streeting took time out from the Labour leadership standoff to celebrate the country’s heathcare heroes.
The Health Secretary attend a service to commemorate the life of Florence Nightingale at London’s Westminster Abbey.
The service, held annually, gives thanks to the nurses and midwives everywhere who continue Florence Nightingale’s legacy in improving health and care today.
He spoke in front of the audience to pay tribute to the hard-working frontline workers.
Health Secretary Streeting spoke at the service(Image: James Manning/PA Wire)
He didn’t reference a demanding day for the party(Image: James Manning/PA Wire)
Streeting was at Westminster Abbey earlier(Image: Getty Images)
Some government appointments have been made with the approval of the King as Labour shore up Keir Starmer’s leadership following today’s mass resignations.
- Nesil Caliskan MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Natalie Fleet MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Home Office
- Catherine Atkinson MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice
- Preet Kaur Gill MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care
- Gen Kitchen MP as Comptroller of HM Household (Government Whip)
- Deirdre Costigan MP as Junior Lord of the Treasury (Government Whip)
- Shaun Davies MP as Assistant Whip, House of Commons