Streeting and Rayner in standoff ahead of crunch week for Starmer

Keir Starmer may say he wants a decade in No 10, but would-be rivals and fearful backbenchers are measuring his tenure in days.

The prime minister’s Monday morning speech, designed as part of efforts to shore up his waning authority in what is likely to be his toughest week yet, had been written off by colleagues before he had even given it.

One MP branded excerpts a “damp squib”. Another despaired: “He fundamentally does not get it – he is not a man who can meet the political moment.” A third Labour figure said: “I have fairly low expectations for what he will say, but given everything he has done for the party, he does deserve to do [the speech].”

Hours after the speech, when Starmer is due to tell voters – and his party – that he will do more than make “incremental change”, the first real challenge to his leadership is expected to begin.

One parliamentary colleague branded West “crackers”. But another said she was “incredibly brave”, adding: “She’s a very nice woman who has seen appallingly bad [election] results, and acted. This is beyond factionalism – frankly, the cabinet are a bunch of fucking cowards.”cked last September, has said she is not seriously hoping to succeed Starmer. But her actions could have profound consequences for the future of the government, and by extension, the country at large.

Having announced her plans like a bolt from the blue, it’s unclear how much support West commands, although at least three dozen Labour MPs have made their disquiet about Starmer public since Thursday’s local election results.

One parliamentary colleague branded West “crackers”. But another said she was “incredibly brave”, adding: “She’s a very nice woman who has seen appallingly bad [election] results, and acted. This is beyond factionalism – frankly, the Cabinet are a bunch of fucking cowards.”

West’s real intention, as became clear during the round of political talk shows on Sunday morning, was to draw the cabinet into acting. On BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, West made a personal plea to education secretary Bridget Phillipson, asking her to throw her hat into the ring. Phillipson replied: “I love you dearly, Catherine, but I just disagree on this one.” Colleagues noted this wasn’t a flat no.

West’s intervention is also being seen as less helpful for the left of the party, which is hamstrung by the supposed favourite, Andy Burnham, not currently being an MP.

While there are many names in the mix to succeed Starmer, the main focus of the next few days is health secretary Wes Streeting and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, the two candidates who have been waiting in the wings for this moment.

Rayner was first out of the traps, issuing a statement that some have branded “her manifesto” for a future government. Criticising decisions such as appointing Peter Mandelson and blocking Andy Burnham from standing as an MP, as well as setting out future Labour policies, Rayner did not go as far as to call for the Prime Minister to quit, but noted: “What we are doing isn’t working, and it needs to change. This may be our last chance.”

Sources suggested that Rayner, who is yet to settle her tax affairs with HMRC, will not challenge Starmer directly. One Rayner ally said: “If all this does spill over though, there’s no chance Wes would be allowed to have a clear run at it, and she’s prepared to put herself forward if required.”

Streeting is in a similar position. "Wes has always said he won't challenge Keir, but he is preparing in case it all falls apart,” said an ally.

The gauntlet, therefore, is thrown to backbenchers who this week may have the first real opportunity to stick or twist. But backbenchers remain nervous: about appearing to mimic the Tories (remember they got rid of Boris Johnson, only to replace him with… Liz Truss); about putting another even worse candidate in Downing Street, or about it all backfiring and ensuring Starmer remains there even longer.

Photograph by Leon Neal / Getty Images