As the political tensions within the Labour party continue to simmer, cabinet ministers have called on Sir Keir Starmer to take a page from Kemi Badenoch’s playbook and dismiss Health Secretary Wes Streeting for his perceived disloyalty. The ministers have grown increasingly frustrated with Streeting’s outspoken public criticisms of the party, with some privately accusing him of prioritising his own leadership ambitions over the party’s interests and “attacking No 10”.
One cabinet minister, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told reporters that Streeting’s behaviour was unacceptable and that Starmer needed to take decisive action. “Wes Streeting has been a thorn in the side of the party for too long,” the minister said. “His constant public sniping and undermining of the leadership is simply not acceptable, and Keir Starmer needs to show that he is willing to take tough decisions and maintain party discipline.”
The calls for Streeting’s dismissal come amid growing tensions within the Labour party, with some factions accusing the leadership of being too centrist and others criticising the party’s perceived lack of a clear policy platform. Streeting, who is widely seen as a potential future leader of the party, has been vocal in his criticisms of the party’s direction, leading some to believe that he is positioning himself for a leadership challenge.
However, Streeting has denied these accusations, insisting that his criticisms are motivated by a genuine desire to see the party succeed. “I’m not interested in playing political games or jockeying for position,” Streeting said in a recent interview. “My only concern is to ensure that the Labour party is in the best possible position to win the next election and deliver for the people of this country.”
Despite Streeting’s protestations, the pressure on Starmer to take action against him appears to be mounting, with some within the party arguing that the leadership needs to demonstrate its willingness to enforce discipline and maintain a united front. Whether Starmer will heed the calls of his cabinet colleagues remains to be seen, but the ongoing tensions within the party are likely to continue to be a source of concern for Labour supporters.
