Wes Streeting Denies Leadership Plot Against Starmer

Published: 12 November 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting has categorically denied any intention to oust Prime Minister Keir Starmer, dismissing recent rumours as unfounded and akin to conspiracy theories.

Speaking on Sky News on Wednesday morning, Streeting labelled the speculation as “unhelpful” and “self-defeating,” firmly ruling out a bid to challenge Starmer’s leadership. Addressing whether he might demand the prime minister’s resignation following the upcoming budget, Streeting said: “Yes, and nor did I shoot JFK. I don’t know where Lord Lucan is, had nothing to do with Shergar, and I do think that the US did manage to do the moon landings. I don’t think they were fake.”

His remarks come amid a surge of late-night briefings from Downing Street, where allies of Starmer have actively sought to quash fears that his position could be at risk following the budget set for 26 November.

Streeting’s spokesperson was compelled to dismiss claims that the health secretary had marshalled a cohort of roughly 50 Labour frontbenchers ready to abandon the government if the budget proved unfavourable. These reports, originating from outlets including the Guardian, suggested several senior Labour figures were allegedly manoeuvring to replace Starmer as party leader.

No 10 sources reportedly singled out Streeting to deter potential challenges from prominent colleagues, such as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.

Commenting on the rumours, Streeting told Sky News: “I think whoever’s been briefing this has been watching too much Celebrity Traitors, and this is just about the worst attack on a faithful I’ve seen since Joe Marler was kicked out and banished in the final. It’s totally self-defeating briefing, not least because it’s not true and I don’t understand how anyone thinks it’s helpful to the prime minister either.”

A Downing Street insider praised Streeting as “a brilliant health secretary” and insisted that reports of a leadership plot were pure speculation. The insider added that while the prime minister would defend his leadership against any challenge, initiating one at this stage would be “irresponsible,” and emphasized that Starmer remains focused on governance.

Nevertheless, some critics within government have described the atmosphere at No 10 as being in “full bunker mode,” reflecting a tense environment amid swirling rumours.

Under Labour Party rules, any leadership challenge requires the backing of 20% of MPs, translating to at least 80 nominations. Should a challenge be triggered, party affiliates, including trade unions, would join individual members in voting to decide the outcome.

As the UK approaches a pivotal budget announcement, political observers will be closely watching both government and opposition activity, with speculation likely to continue until the day of the announcement. Streeting’s forceful denials, however, appear to have temporarily quelled any immediate talk of internal manoeuvring against Starmer, at least for now.