🔗 Share this article

"This has scarcely been our best day in government," a top source within the administration conceded following internal criticism from multiple sides, some in public, considerably more confidentially.

It began with undisclosed contacts to journalists, including myself, that Keir Starmer would resist any effort to challenge his leadership - while claiming government figures, such as Wes Streeting, were planning challenges.

The Health Secretary insisted his commitment stood to the PM while demanding the sources of the leaks to be sacked, and the PM declared that any attacks targeting government officials were considered "unjustifiable".

Doubts about whether Starmer had sanctioned the first reports to flush out possible rivals - while questioning the sources were operating knowingly, or endorsement, were added into the mix.

Might there be a leak inquiry? Could there be terminations within what was labeled a "hostile" Number 10 operation?

What did associates of the prime minister trying to gain?

There have been numerous conversations to patch together the real situation and where all this positions the Labour government.

Stand important truths at the core in this matter: the government faces low approval along with Starmer.

These realities act as the rocket fuel underlying the ongoing talks being heard concerning what the government is attempting to address it and what it might mean regarding the duration Sir Keir Starmer continues in Downing Street.

But let's get to the aftermath of all that political fighting.

Damage Control

The PM and Wes Streeting had a telephone conversation recently to mend relations.

I hear the Prime Minister apologised to the Health Secretary in their quick discussion and both consented to speak more extensively "soon".

The conversation avoided McSweeney, the prime minister's chief of staff - who has emerged as a lightning rod for blame from everyone including opposition leader Badenoch in public to Labour figures at all levels privately.

Commonly recognized as the mastermind of the election victory and the strategic thinker behind Sir Keir's quick rise after moving from his legal career, the chief of staff also finds himself among those facing blame if the Downing Street machine seems to have stuttered, stumbled or outright failed.

There's no response to media inquiries, while certain voices demand his dismissal.

Those critical of him argue that in government operations where he is expected to handle multiple big political judgements, he must accept accountability for these developments.

Others in the building maintain no staff member was responsible for any leak against a cabinet minister, following Streeting's statement whoever was responsible should be sacked.

Consequences

In No 10, there's implicit acceptance that the health secretary conducted a series of scheduled media appearances on Wednesday morning with grace, confidence and wit - even while facing persistent queries concerning his goals as the leaks targeting him came just hours before.

According to certain parliamentarians, he exhibited agility and communication skills they only wish the Prime Minister possessed.

Furthermore, it was evident that at least some of the leaks that aimed to support Starmer resulted in a platform for the Health Secretary to declare he shared the sentiment among fellow MPs who characterized Downing Street as toxic and sexist and the individuals responsible for the leaks should be sacked.

What a mess.

"My commitment stands" - Wes Streeting rejects suggestions to oppose the PM as PM.

Internal Reactions

Starmer, sources reveal, is extremely angry regarding how all of this has played out and is looking into how it all happened.

What looks to have failed, from No 10's perspective, involves both scale and focus.

First, officials had, possibly unrealistically, imagined that the reports would produce certain coverage, but not continuous headline news.

The reality proved far more significant than predicted.

I'd say a prime minister permitting these issues be known, via supporters, relatively soon after a landslide general election win, would inevitably become leading significant coverage – precisely as occurred, across media outlets.

And secondly, regarding tone, they insist they were surprised by so much talk regarding the Health Secretary, which was then significantly increased through multiple media appearances he had scheduled recently.

Others, certainly, believed that that was precisely the intention.

Political Impact

This represents further period when Labour folk in government discuss lessons being learnt and on the backbenches many are frustrated at what they see as an unnecessary drama developing that they have to first watch then justify.

And they would rather not both activities.

But a government and a prime minister displaying concern regarding their situation is even bigger {than their big majority|their parliamentary advantage|their