"One said he would need to act immediately after the May local elections at the latest to pre-empt a potential challenge from his most likely rival Angela Rayner, who is waiting for the outcome of a probe into her property taxes. Nothing has changed, said one. There was a big performance of unity yesterday but Keir is no safer than he was yesterday."
"Another added: We need to act quickly. There is a big risk that we meander and end up in this tepid decline where we all make ourselves feel better but a Reform government becomes inevitable. Wes has the numbers, but it will require a steeliness and a determination that most colleagues have not to date shown. The person added: At this point Keir is a zombie. He is in the Theresa May phase of his leadership."
Allies of Wes Streeting expect him to mount a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer within weeks, even though Streeting publicly insists he supports the prime minister. Starmer faced criticism from Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and lost his director of communications during a turbulent day in Westminster. MPs close to Streeting say he would act after the Gorton and Denton byelection and likely immediately after the May local elections to pre-empt a potential challenge from Angela Rayner, who awaits a probe outcome. Some MPs warn that delay risks electoral decline and a stronger Reform presence, while cabinet members staged a brief show of unity.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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