Overview
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting publicly ruled out seeking Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation after the Nov. 26 Budget and called for the sacking of those spreading what he called self‑defeating briefings.
- No 10 briefed that Starmer would fight any leadership bid and that launching one now would be irresponsible, with allies warning of potential market and diplomatic fallout.
- Reports claimed Streeting had about 50 frontbenchers ready to stand down if the Budget lands badly, a claim his team said was categorically untrue as Labour sources accused No 10 of bunker‑style briefings.
- The Budget is viewed inside Labour as a flashpoint, with concern over possible income tax rises that could breach manifesto vows and polling pressure from Reform UK compounding nerves.
- Party procedures pose a high bar for challengers, requiring backing from 20% of Labour MPs and a ballot including unions, while Red Wall chair Jo White said she had seen no evidence of a Streeting‑led push.