Starmer faces endgame as Wes Streeting launches 'coup' to beat rivals to the top job
The article centers anonymous Labour sources and John McDonnell (left-wing MP) while using charged framing ('coup,' 'clinging onto power,' 'embattled') that delegitimizes Starmer and casts Streeting's actions as antidemocratic. The narrative privileges soft-left voices and their grievances, with minimal direct sourcing from government or Streeting himself. The mention of Mandelson's 'disgrace' and Epstein connection is presented as damaging gossip rather than contextualized fact, amplifying left-populist concerns.
Primary voices: anonymous source, elected official, think-tank, media outlet
- This article does not address what specific policy failures or events triggered the push against Starmer
- This article does not include direct comment or defense from Wes Streeting or his supporters
- This article does not clarify the timeline or constitutional mechanism for a Labour leadership challenge
- This article does not address public opinion or broader electorate sentiment
Framing will likely shift sharply once a formal leadership challenge is triggered or a successor emerges; the article's 'endgame' framing assumes rapid collapse.
Activist-sourcedDissenting framingCharged language
The health secretary scrambles to oust prime minister and take the reins while Andy Burnham races to become MP
Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer pictured outside the Elysee Presidential Palace in Paris, France, 17 April 2026 (AFP)
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is clinging onto power in what might be his final days in the premiership as his rivals compete over who will replace him.
On Tuesday morning, at a Cabinet meeting in Number 10 Downing Street, the embattled prime minister told his top team that the Labour Party "has a process for challenging a leader and that has not been triggered".
But few in Whitehall believe Starmer can hold on for long. His allies are dwindling and more than 80 Labour MPs from all sides of the party have urged him to recognise "it's over".
Five ministerial aides resigned on Monday night. But a massive battle is under way between the right and the soft left of the party over who will replace Starmer.
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Labour sources told Middle East Eye that Health Secretary Wes Streeting is attempting to have Starmer ousted quickly so he can take the reins before the soft left of the party can get their act together.
Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has been building his support to become prime minister among the parliamentary party.
But he faces significant obstacles, chief of all that he is not an MP.
A Labour MP, whose identity is so far unknown, is believed to be preparing to stand down so Burnham can take their seat.
He would then have to win a byelection and mount his challenge to become prime minister.
Yet another obstacle in Burnham's way is the Green Party, which is believed to be planning to campaign against Burnham in whichever seat he stands in in a bid to defeat him from the left.
Race for the top job
The other likely serious contender for the top job is Angela Rayner, Starmer's former deputy, who has positioned herself on the soft left.
A former Tory prime minister, Truss was in the job for less than two months.
Meanwhile Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, also on the soft left, has been urged by numerous MPs to mount a leadership bid, although he has not commented publicly.
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One source suggested Burnham and Miliband could run on a joint ticket. The left of the party does not have time on its side.
Streeting has been accused of mounting a "coup" to be installed as prime minister before Burnham can mount his challenge.
Labour MP and former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, a respected voice on the left of the party, said on social media on Tuesday morning that Streeting "has launched coup for fear of a democratic process & whilst candidates are blocked".
Labour Together, the think tank which propelled Starmer to power, is widely thought to be backing Streeting to maintain its influence in government once Starmer is gone.
A major roadblock for the health secretary, one Labour source told MEE, is that many see him as a former "protege" of Peter Mandelson, the former minister, peer and ambassador to the US who was disgraced earlier this year over his friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The health secretary's best bet is to win before Burnham manages to face him in a leadership contest.
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