Observers note considerable analysis this morning regarding the No 10 strategy revealed last night, and the reaction it has provoked. Among reporters who have been consulting Labour MPs, the prevailing opinion is that the approach has backfired, and weakened Keir Starmer’s reputation within his party.
Significant Comments from Westminster Sources
- The BBC’s chief political correspondent has published an analysis titled “Moves to strengthen Starmer’s authority may have failed.” He comments:
The crucial matter this morning is whether the communications have made Sir Keir more or less at risk.
Considering the hostility of the messages I have obtained from multiple corners of the Labour Party, the definitive answer is: at greater risk.
One senior Labour insider questioned why Sir Keir’s associates had “validated what was a forbidden subject” by overtly discussing the idea of a contest for leadership …
An MP said the tactic was “completely irrational and self-destructive,” commenting: “They are in the bunker attacking everyone who’s outside the bunker guarding it. And unfortunate clueless Keir has no idea he’s in the bunker.”
- The Guardian’s deputy political editor states Labour MPs are shocked by the No 10 tactics.
Received at least 10 communications from Labour MPs overnight all on the same theme. “Why are they doing?”
- George Eaton observes that, although there are people in No 10 claiming to have solid information that Wes Streeting was plotting against Starmer, Labour MPs are not swayed.
Streeting’s behavior, as previously documented, have certainly attracted much interest in recent months. Whether calling for the UK to promptly accept a Palestinian state back in June or denouncing arguments that the far right is merely practicing “freedom of expression”, he has been eager to go beyond the official position. His accolades for New York mayor Zohran Mamdani (“lessons for progressives the world over”) also caused surprise and was seen as part of a intentional endeavor to attract the moderate left.
But this does not, of course, constitutes direct betrayal – and this is the issue No 10 will have to address today: if it has hard evidence that Streeting is plotting against Starmer, why is he still sitting in the government?
The risk for Downing Street is clear: it has significantly elevated the topic of who leads, giving every MP and journalist in the country a new pretext to raise it. Rather than ending rumors over Starmer’s future – as it managed in the aftermath of Labour conference – it has intensified it. And instead of uniting the party around the Prime Minister it threatens only achieving the reverse.
- Robert Peston says some MPs may skip PMQs today out of objection.
From a Labour MP who strives to be loyal to the PM and Downing Street, but feels deeply disappointed by the internecine strategizing of the team around Starmer:
“Some Labour MPs are considering boycotting PMQs today in objection at the briefing. If the PM thinks we are feral and too foolish to understand economics, then why on earth would we go out and cheer him on?”
- Patrick Maguire comments Streeting is gaining.
Senior Labour figure writes: “They have accomplished the impossible: they have made Wes well-liked with the rank and file.
- The Telegraph’s political editor observes MPs have been struck by Streeting’s performances this morning.
The contradiction this morning: If the Starmer ally communications were an attempt to sap the momentum out of a Wes Streeting discreet leadership campaign it seems to have done the opposite for some people.
Streeting’s primary selling point is his ability as a speaker and handling easily the morning tour with charm (jokes about Traitors and JFK conspiracies when asked about plotting) may have just emphasized that point.
“Wes is now more liked because he is so poised,” says one minister. “He impressed me greatly in addressing every question frankly and with wit.”
Another minister agrees Streeting’s appearance has just reminded people what a skilled media performer he is.
- George Parker says in an piece this morning No 10 has triggered a situation.
One minister referred to it as the “some of the weirdest strategy choices I have ever seen” and on Wednesday recriminations were circulating in Downing Street after Sir Keir Starmer’s team created a problem over leadership out of thin air, just two weeks ahead of the Budget.
Tuesday’s communication from within Number 10 that Starmer would resist any bid for power escalated low-level Westminster gossip into a political crisis, as the prime minister advertised the weakness of his own situation.
Further Political News
A key points used by those in No 10 who have been communicating about the risks of a bid for power has been that this would concern the financial markets. This echoes the point made by Rachel Reeves, when she was spoken to by Andrew Marr on LBC last week and asked if she would resign if she broke the manifesto promise on taxes in the budget. Reeves responded: "And what do you think would happen in financial markets if I did that?”
In an interview on the Today programme this morning, Luke Tryl, said that points like this were very harmful to the groups making them. He explained:
I think there’s a genuine threat to that argument, because what it does is it strengthens what we call ‘the politics of can’t’. So rather than the administration being seen to be in control and have a positive program, it’s instead the government continually claiming, ‘We cannot do this because of the financial markets’, or ‘We cannot do this on immigration because of things like the European court of human rights.’
And what that does in return is it makes people turn to leaders who are doing the “approach of can’t.
And what you see is people like Nigel Farage in Reform or Zack Polanski in the Greens are stating ‘No, no, we’ll do something completely alternative and put government back in charge.’
Upcoming Events
Early: The Lib Dem deputy leader and Treasury spokesperson delivers a statement about her organization’s budget proposals.
Midday: The Prime Minister confronts the Conservative leader at PMQs.
Lunchtime: MPs discuss two Tory proposals, one saying taxes should not go up in the budget, and another stating the government should remove environmental charges on energy bills.
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