Wes Streeting (R) is seen as one of the key challengers to Keir Starmer's leadership

Starmer to meet rival Streeting amid leadership revolt

13 May 2026, 05:43 · RTE.ie

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet his Health Secretary Wes Streeting, one of his key rivals for the Labour leadership, after a tumultuous few days in which four ministers resigned and at least 80 MPs called for him to quit.

Mr Starmer managed to cling on to power in 10 Downing Street and see off an immediate threat to his leadership, with reports suggesting the front runners to succeed him lack the numbers to launch a challenge.

He will meet Mr Streeting, seen as one of the key challengers to his leadership from the right of the party.

According to The Guardian, Mr Streeting was backing down from launching an immediate leadership bid.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, a leading figure from the soft-left of the party, has not unveiled a path back into Parliament. He needs an MP willing to stand aside so he could fight a bye-election.

Sources close to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, another potential soft-left challenger, have denied reports that he is preparing to run if Mr Streeting triggers a contest.

Mr Starmer has sought to push on, already having replaced four ministers - including prominent MP Jess Phillips and health minister Zubir Ahmed, an ally of Mr Streeting - who quit the government and called for Mr Starmer to stand down.

In yesterday's Cabinet meeting, Mr Starmer vowed to fight on, and was publicly backed by several ministers at the top of government, including his deputy David Lammy, who urged colleagues to "step back and take a breath".

Mr Starmer told his Cabinet the country "expects us to get on with governing" and "that is what I am doing", but avoided being directly challenged as he declined to discuss his leadership during the gathering or meet critics individually afterwards, the Press Association understands.

He said he would only speak to ministers one-to-one about his fate, but did not do so once Cabinet concluded, according to sources.

While Mr Streeting is not expected to say anything after today's meeting that could distract from a speech by King Charles later today, Politico reported that Buckingham Palace had privately told Downing Street they do not want Charles to be dragged into the conversation.

The importance of protecting Charles from the impression that he is being used for political ends was stressed to Mr Starmer's officials, a person familiar with the matter told the political news outlet.

It is understood there has been no suggestion that the opening of Parliament would not go ahead.