Plot grows to oust Starmer in the first half of 2026: report

Allies of Health Secretary Wes Streeting are backing him to replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader after the May elections, the Times reports.

The move comes as MPs warned against a lurch to the left and said privately that a rival candidate such as Angela Rayner would be too radical and would face greater pressure to call a snap general election.

Streeting has previously said he is loyal to Starmer and criticised briefings in his name against the prime minister. However, some supporters are preparing for a leadership challenge which they think is likely to follow a tricky set of elections for Labour in May.

The discussions to remove Starmer come amid concerns about the party’s poll ratings and discontent that the government may break Labour’s manifesto promise not to raise income tax.

More than 100 Labour MPs joined the rebels in threatening to block welfare reforms being spearheaded by ministers earlier this year, over fears they would harm people claiming disability benefits.

Starmer faced a mini-revolt in September as figures in Labour raised concerns about the judgment of the Prime Minister, who lost his deputy-leader, Angela Rayner, and was forced to fire the US Ambassador Peter Mandelson in the space of a week.

Several backbenchers directly questioned Mandelson’s appointment on social media and Starmer’s perceived poor judgment in appointing him.

Briefings and denouncements

Earlier this month, Starmer said he had full confidence in his team and condemned a briefing from No 10 against Streeting.

Starmer was speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, where MPs made various references to Downing Street briefing against potential leadership challenges by Streeting and other Ministers.

Badenoch raised the issue of a toxic culture within Downing Street, pointing to unauthorised briefings from No 10 against Labour Ministers and asking the Prime Minister if he still had complete confidence in his Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney.

Starmer said his government was united and that his team was focused on delivering for the country.

“Any attack on any member of my cabinet is completely unacceptable,” Starmer said in response to the question of No 10 briefing against a potential leadership challenge from Streeting.

He said Streeting was doing a great job and applauded the work done by the Health Secretary in providing extra appointments in the NHS.

“I have never authorised attacks on cabinet members. I appointed them to their posts because they are the best people to carry out their jobs,” he added.

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