Allegations of Leadership Plot and Toxicity Within Downing Street Emerge Amid Unpopularity
Anonymous briefings have alleged that Keir Starmer would resist leadership change and claimed ministers including Health Secretary Wes Streeting were plotting a challenge. Starmer remained loyal to the Prime Minister, who stated that attacks on ministers were unacceptable. Streeting has denied plotting against the Prime Minister.
Questions have arisen over whether the Prime Minister authorised these briefings, leading to talk of a leak inquiry and potential sackings at No. 10, with references to a toxic Downing Street operation. Morgan McSweeney, Starmer's chief of staff, has become a focal point of criticism and is seen by some as central to Downing Street decisions, though others say no one in No. 10 organised the briefing.
In an effort to patch things up, the Prime Minister and Wes Streeting spoke by phone; during the call, Starmer apologized and they agreed to discuss the matter further. Despite this, Streeting publicly described Downing Street as toxic and sexist and suggested those behind the briefings should be sacked, intensifying the fallout. Streeting’s pre-arranged interviews on Wednesday morning were noted as influencing the narrative.
The episode is driven by two core facts: the government and the Prime Minister are unpopular, which is fueling leadership speculation and Labor’s strategy. Officials warn that unless the government addresses this underlying unpopularity and the toxic dynamics within Downing Street, similar incidents may recur.
