Starmer 'Toxic' Crisis: Streeting Rises as PM Fights For Power

The Labour government is engulfed in an extraordinary internal conflict, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer accused of being "in office but not in power" as a vicious briefing war erupts from within Downing Street. This crisis, detailed in reports across major news outlets, has cast a deep shadow over Starmer's premiership just over a year after his landslide 2024 General Election victory, Daily Dazzling Dawn understands.

The Starmer vs. Streeting Feud-The immediate flashpoint is an orchestrated briefing operation launched by Starmer's allies—widely attributed to his influential Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney—to warn off potential leadership rivals, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting publicly singled out.

The briefing war backfired dramatically. Instead of quashing dissent, it fueled an internal Labour civil war, forcing Starmer to condemn the "completely unacceptable" attacks and launch an investigation into the briefers, who his spokesman suggested could be sacked.

Mr. Streeting has vehemently denied any plot to oust the Prime Minister, labelling the claims as "silly briefing" and comparing the toxic culture in No. 10 to the popular reality show The Traitors. In response to the claims, he joked, "Yes, and nor did I shoot JFK," while categorically ruling out a challenge after the upcoming Budget. However, ministers noted that Streeting's "self-assured" and humorous response has only boosted his profile and leadership prospects.

Despite Downing Street sources claiming Starmer retains confidence in McSweeney, pressure is mounting from a wide range of astounded Labour MPs and Cabinet Ministers for the Chief of Staff to be removed. One Cabinet source noted, "Consensus is forming in Cabinet he'll have to go."

Is Starmer Going Soon? Successes and Failures-Sir Keir Starmer, who became Prime Minister on July 5, 2024, is currently facing significant dissent, with fears growing among his closest allies that he is vulnerable to a leadership challenge, potentially following the upcoming Budget or the May local elections.

Starmer's Greatest Failures and Controversies:

Policy U-Turns and Fiscal Credibility: Starmer has faced repeated criticism for appearing unable to adhere to a specific policy. Key policy U-turns include:

Welfare Reform: Starmer was forced to partially backtrack on a welfare reform bill—originally intended to save £5 billion—following a substantial rebellion by over 126 of his own MPs, costing the government an estimated £3 billion.

Heating Subsidies: He reversed a plan to end winter home heating subsidies for millions of retirees, a U-turn that cost the budget approximately £1.25 billion in planned savings.

Declining Popularity: His first weeks in power were widely described as "disastrous," leading to a plunge in public approval. Polls show that before completing a year in office, his popularity had dropped significantly.

Only 24% of the public reported seeing progress in reducing NHS waiting times.Only 8% believed he had made progress on the asylum system.

Foreign Aid Cuts: Starmer's government has been criticised for its reluctance to engage in development projects, notably with an expected 20% cut to the UK's contribution to the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria. A cut from the planned £1 billion to £800 million is feared could lead to up to 340,000 avoidable deaths.

Starmer's Core Successes:

2024 Landslide Victory: His greatest achievement remains leading the Labour Party to a historic landslide victory in the 2024 General Election, ending fourteen years of Conservative rule.

Commitment to Transparency: Starmer recently expressed "sincere regret" over the appointment of a Labour donor, David Kogan, to the new independent football regulator, an act that his adviser on ministerial standards, Laurie Magnus, called an "important demonstration of your commitment to transparency."

The Potential Successors-Should a leadership contest be triggered, the list of potential candidates is wide-ranging, with bookmakers already adjusting the odds:

Wes Streeting (Health Secretary) currently leads the betting market with odds of 5/1, despite his public denials. His handling of the current crisis has been viewed as strengthening his position.

Andy Burnham (Mayor of Greater Manchester) is also a strong contender with odds of 7/1.

Other key figures tipped to throw their hat in the ring include Rachel Reeves (Chancellor of the Exchequer, 20/1), Shabana Mahmood (Home Secretary, 9/1), and David Lammy (Foreign Secretary, 9/1).

Sir Keir's allies insist he will not ste nop aside for "Wes or anybody else," warning that a leadership challenge would be "reckless" and immediately destabilise the markets and international relationships. For now, Starmer remains Prime Minister, but he is desperately fighting for the authority that his own party is publicly questioning.