Streeting warns Starmer he could trigger Labour leadership contest next week

Wes Streeting has issued a stark warning to Sir Keir Starmer, indicating he is ready to launch a Labour leadership contest as early as next week. This ultimatum is contingent on Andy Burnham securing victory in this week’s Makerfield by-election, prompting Mr Streeting to call for Sir Keir to establish a timeline for his departure. The former health secretary asserted he commands the support of 80 MPs, the threshold required to enter a leadership contest. He publicly criticised Sir Keir on Tuesday, accusing him of failing to heed the concerns of both the party and his own Cabinet. Amidst this internal Labour strife, the Prime Minister declared his intention to defy critics, vowing to "carry on with what I was elected to do" and "bring back the change that people desperately need" as he battles for his political survival. Mr Streeting expressed his hope that Sir Keir would use the weekend to reflect and choose to depart "on his own terms" following the 18 June vote, which could pave the way for Mr Burnham's return to Westminster and a potential challenge to the Prime Minister. I think we have different views about how to put it right, but at the end of it, we need to come together.” Mr Streeting’s diagnosis is that Labour is suffering from three problems at the moment: with leadership, with policy, and with culture. She sidestepped questions on whether she would back the Greater Manchester Mayor but said it was “hard to escape the feeling that the public have had towards Keir”. Asked if it was too late to achieve the change needed under Sir Keir’s leadership, she said: “I don’t think it’s too late for the Labour Party to deliver that, and that’s a different question. “I know I’m not answering your question direct. I think that it’s hard to escape the feeling that the public have had towards Keir.” The Prime Minister was asked about threats to his leadership G7 summit in France. “So very many times on my political journey, people have said to me it’s not possible,” he said. “They said it’s not possible to turn the Labour Party around. It’s not possible to win an election. “It’s not possible if you do win election, to invest in your public services and stabilise the economy – wrong every time, and that’s why I intend not to walk away from this, but to carry on with what I was elected to do, which is to serve this country, bring back the change that people desperately need in their lives.” Mr Burnham is the favourite to win the by-election in the Greater Manchester constituency this week, multiple opinion polls have suggested.