Sarwar call sparks Labour tension as No 10 denies leadership plot

Published: 11 February 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Downing Street has moved to steady nerves after the Sarwar call triggered intense political reaction across Labour circles this week. Senior figures inside government now believe the Sarwar call for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step aside was not part of any organised leadership plot. The intervention created immediate shock, yet officials say deeper checks show no coordinated internal campaign behind the move. Confidence inside No 10 has grown after urgent conversations with cabinet ministers and regional leaders across the party.

The situation developed rapidly after the Scottish Labour leader publicly urged Starmer to stand down from leadership. His remarks followed weeks of private reflection and rising concern over Labour’s standing in Scotland before the coming elections. According to senior insiders, emergency internal reviews began within hours of the Sarwar call becoming public. Early fears suggested a possible leadership manoeuvre supported by influential cabinet allies, yet that suspicion weakened as contacts were verified.

Government sources say Sarwar spoke privately with several senior figures before his announcement but did not share his final intention. Among those he contacted were cabinet ministers and former senior party officials with long standing influence. None reported advance knowledge of the Sarwar call as a coordinated pressure strategy against the prime minister. That finding significantly reduced anxiety within Starmer’s immediate advisory circle during the following day.

Wes Streeting, the health secretary, was briefly suspected by some insiders of encouraging a leadership challenge behind the scenes. However, ministers close to Streeting strongly rejected those claims and described them as politically speculative and unsupported. One ally said Streeting is considered too careful to support an effort without firm numbers and structure. That assessment contributed to No 10 stepping back from its initial alarm about a possible organised move.

Supporters of Sarwar insist his decision grew from Scottish political realities rather than Westminster leadership ambitions or rivalries. They say Labour’s declining poll position in Scotland created urgency and frustration within the regional leadership team. Internal polling reportedly shows the party trailing behind both the Scottish National party and Reform UK. With elections approaching quickly, pressure has intensified on Scottish Labour to change public momentum fast.

Several Scottish party figures privately described the Sarwar call as a gamble rather than a rebellion. One senior Scottish MP said the existing strategy of loyalty to central leadership had not delivered results locally. According to that view, taking a bold position created at least a chance to reset voter perception. Critics inside the Scottish parliament, however, described the move as mistimed and politically dangerous given current polling weakness.

Inside Westminster, expectations had formed that further public criticism of Starmer might follow within days of the statement. Some ministers believed Welsh leadership figures might echo the Scottish intervention and increase pressure on No 10. That second wave did not arrive, easing immediate fears of a cascading leadership crisis across devolved administrations. Officials say that absence of follow-up support further reinforced the conclusion that the Sarwar call stood alone.

Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan did not join the criticism and instead privately reassured Starmer of her support. Her office confirmed she was engaged in scheduled meetings when the Scottish announcement was delivered publicly. Sources close to her said she learned the full details only after the press conference concluded. She later contacted the prime minister directly to confirm continued backing despite policy disagreements.

Senior Labour insiders acknowledge there is ongoing frustration within different wings of the party about electoral prospects. Some believe leadership debate is inevitable if local election results prove deeply disappointing across multiple regions. Others argue that visible division before those votes would worsen outcomes and damage campaign discipline nationwide. That divide explains why the Sarwar call attracted both quiet sympathy and sharp internal criticism.

Scottish Labour representatives argue their regional campaign work should not become collateral damage in broader leadership calculations. They say local organisers have invested years rebuilding voter trust and organisational strength across difficult constituencies. From their perspective, delaying honest leadership debate until after losses would unfairly burden regional candidates. That argument remains controversial among MPs focused on national message discipline and leadership stability.

Downing Street has responded by opening direct communication channels with Scottish Labour MPs to reduce tension quickly. Invitations were issued for private talks at No 10 and at the prime minister’s country residence. The purpose is described as relationship repair and campaign coordination rather than disciplinary confrontation or political pressure. Notably, members of the Scottish parliament were not included in those particular meetings.

Cabinet members publicly emphasised that disagreement does not automatically signal personal hostility or lasting factional conflict. The Scottish secretary described the dispute as one between strong personalities rather than permanent political enemies. He stressed that robust debate has always existed within Labour without preventing later cooperation in government. That message aims to cool media narratives suggesting an immediate leadership breakdown.

Party strategists are also watching whether the Sarwar call shifts public opinion or fades quickly from voter attention. Early reaction across political media has been intense, yet voter response data remains limited and mixed. Some analysts believe internal conflict stories energise opposition supporters more than undecided Labour-leaning voters. Others argue visible honesty about leadership concerns can sometimes rebuild credibility if managed carefully.

What remains clear is that the episode exposed real anxiety about Labour’s electoral path in Scotland and Wales. Regional leaders face distinct political pressures that do not always match Westminster timing or messaging priorities. Balancing those pressures without appearing divided is now a central challenge for Starmer’s leadership team. For now, No 10 maintains that no organised leadership challenge is underway following the Sarwar call.

The coming weeks are likely to determine whether this moment becomes a turning point or a brief disruption. Much will depend on polling trends, campaign performance, and whether additional senior figures break ranks publicly. Until then, government insiders continue projecting confidence that leadership authority remains intact and operational. They believe the Sarwar call created noise, but not a structured movement capable of forcing change.

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