"There was the plunge in popularity in the immediate aftermath of the winter fuel decision, the decimation of loyalty among Labour MPs that led to the welfare vote catastrophe and the audacity of Andy Burnham's open campaign for the leadership leading up to Labour conference. Now the operation sees threats everywhere and is determined to put potential rebels in the spotlight and flush out rivals."
"The plan is to try to show up those who plot potential coups and give MPs pause about where such a dangerous road would lead. MPs are being briefed about what an upset it would be for financial markets or how it could destroy relations with the US if candidates were to veer to the left in order to appeal to the Labour membership."
Keir Starmer's No 10 has been repeatedly caught off-guard by falling popularity after the winter fuel decision, a collapse of loyalty among Labour MPs over the welfare vote, and Andy Burnham's open leadership campaigning. The operation now actively seeks to expose potential rebels and flush out rivals through a recent dedicated effort to smoke out a leadership challenge, including warnings about market turmoil and damaged US relations if candidates shift left. Wes Streeting is viewed as the principal threat, while Burnham, Bridget Phillipson, Shabana Mahmood and Angela Rayner are taking soundings. Senior figures admit to oscillating strategies and frustrated MPs note promised changes often fail to persist.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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