Overview
- Downing Street allies privately warned that removing Keir Starmer now would be reckless and said he would fight any leadership bid, with Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood cited in reports as potential rivals.
- Wes Streeting and his office called the coup claims categorically untrue, labeling the briefings self‑defeating and rejecting any plan to seek Starmer’s resignation.
- In Parliament, Starmer said he never authorised attacks on ministers, called such briefings completely unacceptable, publicly backed Streeting and defended his chief adviser Morgan McSweeney.
- Labour MPs are anxious about a Nov. 26 budget that could include tax rises seen as breaching manifesto pledges, though any formal challenge would require support from about 80 Labour MPs under party rules.
- UK government bonds fell and the pound slipped after the briefing war, moves traders linked to concerns about leadership instability and the budget outlook.