"Wes Streeting has spent much of the last year insisting he was not about to launch a leadership bid against Sir Keir Starmer. That continues to be his position in public - but we don't yet know what he told the prime minister in a brief meeting in No 10 earlier on Wednesday. The 43 year-old health secretary has made no secret of his desire to hold the top job one day, although he had previously denied he would challenge Sir Keir directly."
"Streeting is regarded as one of Labour's best communicators, and has regularly been sent out to defend the government in the media. His supporters believe he has the political skills and fluent style to sell the party's message more effectively than the current leader but as a figure on the right of the party he might struggle to appeal to more left-leaning colleagues."
"During one fevered bout of leadership speculation last autumn, Streeting was forced to deny suggestions from the prime minister's allies he was planning to move against him the wake of November's Budget. The briefings, he insisted, were the "worst attack on a faithful" since rugby player Joe Marler had been banished in the finale of hit TV show Celebrity Traitors."
"Formerly regarded as close to Lord Mandelson, Streeting has distanced himself from the former Labour minister since his sacking as US ambassador, saying earlier this year he would never speak to him again. In what was seen as an attempt to minimise doubts among potential supporters, he took the unusual move of releasing private messages he had exchanged with the peer, insisting they had never been close friends."
Wes Streeting continues to publicly deny plans to challenge Sir Keir Starmer, despite ongoing leadership speculation. He has expressed a desire to hold the top job one day and has previously denied he would challenge Starmer directly. Streeting is a prominent Labour cabinet member and is known as one of the party’s best communicators, often defending the government in the media. Supporters believe his skills could sell Labour’s message more effectively, while critics on the party’s left may doubt his appeal. During earlier speculation tied to the November Budget, he denied plans to move against Starmer. He has also distanced himself from Lord Mandelson after Mandelson’s sacking as US ambassador, releasing private messages to reduce doubts about their relationship. Streeting grew up in poverty in east London and has described his childhood circumstances in detail.
Read at www.bbc.com
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