Keir Starmer faced his biggest challenge yet yesterday when his health minister was reported to be readying his resignation to try to trigger a contest to replace a British prime minister who had sought some respite to set out his government’s agenda.
As Starmer and his ministers stood in silence to hear King Charles read out their government’s agenda, the ceremony was overshadowed by what could be the most dangerous threat to the prime minister since legislators began urging him to resign over one of Labour’s worst defeats in last week’s local elections.
The report in the Times newspaper that health minister Wes Streeting was preparing to resign as early as today to mount a formal leadership challenge could mean the Starmer government’s agenda, outlined by Charles amid much pomp and ceremony, might never be implemented.
Streeting’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
British government bond futures fell sharply on the report, erasing their day’s gains, as did 20- and 30-year government bonds, while the pound weakened against the euro.
Earlier, Streeting had briefly met Starmer at the prime minister’s Downing Street office but the health minister’s team said he would not comment on that meeting to make sure he did not distract from the King’s Speech.
Streeting took to X to promote his achievements in tackling waiting times for Britain’s state-run health service. “Lots done, lots to do,” he wrote, failing to address the report.
Starmer has tried to brush off the challenges to his authority and the King’s Speech – written by the government and delivered by the monarch – announced plans to boost economic growth, energy security and defence.
But a direct challenge from Streeting would signal a deeper crisis for Starmer, which could trigger a new leadership contest if the health minister has the support of 81 Labour legislators to launch a bid.
That could encourage other rivals to enter the race, although two potential challengers, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, have to overcome hurdles before they would be able to run.
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