Streeting allies expect leadership challenge against Starmer

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, after days of intense speculation that he is preparing a bid to replace him.

The prime minister's spokesman said Sir Keir had "full confidence" in Streeting but would not comment on the details 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 said they would be disappointed if Streeting backed away from a challenge at this point.

A supporter of Streeting said that if the health secretary did not challenge Starmer then "we'll have knifed ourselves for nothing".

Under Labour Party rules, Streeting would need the support of 81 MPs in order to force a vote of party members.

Sir Keir would automatically be a candidate, without any need to solicit nominations himself. Other candidates would also be able to seek 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, which marks the start of a new parliamentary session.

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 also urged Sir Keir to stand down, exposing deep divisions over the prime minister's future.

Sir Keir said he would "get on with governing", while his cabinet allies rallied behind the prime minister and more than 100 MPs put their names to a statement, warning against a leadership contest.

But the prime minister's authority has been weakened by the Labour revolt, which came after a dire set of election results last week.

Streeting has previously been open about his leadership ambitions and has plenty of support from Labour MPs, particularly those on the centre and the right of the party.

The BBC has been told the prime minister's allies were convinced the health secretary would not be able to produce a list of 81 supporters in their meeting on Wednesday.

Some MPs on the party's right, who would have been assumed to be Streeting supporters, have signed the statement that says now is not the time for a leadership contest.

But even if Streeting does not launch a leadership challenge, the prime minister faces other challenges.

On Wednesday morning, Labour-affiliated unions pulled their support for the prime minister, saying it was clear Sir Keir would not lead Labour into the next general election.

There are also other senior Labour politicians who are known to have ambitions to become Labour leader.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has strong support from Labour MPs and polls suggest he is the most popular Labour politician with voters.

But Burnham is not currently an MP and it would be a tall order for him to get back into the House of Commons, a process that involves winning a parliamentary by-election.

He did apply 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.