Labour’s internal turmoil deepens as Wes Streeting denies coup allegations
Labour has been plunged into infighting as Health Secretary Wes Streeting was compelled to deny allegations of orchestrating a coup against Prime Minister Keir Starmer, reports BritPanorama.
Accusations from allies of the Prime Minister suggest that Streeting is preparing to challenge Starmer’s leadership amid mounting dissatisfaction with their direction. The tension within the party has reached a boiling point, particularly as Labour MPs express frustration over a series of negative briefings targeting their own Cabinet ministers.
A spokesperson for Streeting dismissed the coup claims as “categorically untrue,” while his supporters criticized Downing Street for its apparent paranoia. “The boys in No 10 are deluded. We’re entering tin foil hat territory here,” said one Labour MP.
Compounding the unrest, Streeting has reportedly voiced his grievances about some of Starmer’s decisions during Cabinet meetings, particularly concerning the government’s proposed digital ID scheme. Despite this, he is expected to publicly support the Prime Minister in a series of interviews later today.
Starmer met with Streeting just this past Monday evening, a signal of their ongoing engagement amid the emerging rifts. Many within the party are anxious about Starmer’s ability to lead as polls indicate challenges ahead, particularly with the upcoming Budget being a point of concern among both MPs and constituents.
Criticism is particularly vocal regarding the planned increase in income tax, a move that some Labour members believe would contradict the party’s manifesto commitments. The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, faces a significant challenge to secure funding for these plans without alienating the electorate.
Rumours of leadership challenges are gaining traction within Westminster, especially with local elections looming, potentially indicating an unstable future for Starmer. If the Budget fails to resonate, the internal pressure may escalate rapidly, reflecting deeper issues within the party.
As dissatisfaction lingers and internal speculation grows, Labour’s ability to maintain unity and appeal to voters will be critically tested in the coming months.
In times of political upheaval, the balance between maintaining party cohesion and addressing internal dissent can prove precarious. The stakes of the impending Budget could well determine the future trajectory of Starmer’s leadership and Labour’s electoral prospects.
