LONDON, May 13 (Reuters) – Keir Starmer faced his biggest challenge yet on Wednesday, when it was reported that his health minister was preparing to resign in an attempt to spark a race to replace the British prime minister, who was seeking some respite to set his government’s agenda.
As Starmer and his ministers stood silently to listen to King Charles read out his government’s agenda, the ceremony was overshadowed by what could be the most dangerous threat to the prime minister since MPs began calling on him to resign due to one of the Labor Party’s worst defeats in last week’s local elections.
The Times newspaper report that Health Minister Wes Streeting was preparing to resign as early as Thursday to mount a formal leadership challenge could mean that the Starmer government’s agenda, outlined by Charles amid much pomp and ceremony, may never be implemented.
Streeting’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
British government bond futures fell sharply on the report, erasing the day’s gains, as did 20-year and 30-year government bonds, while the pound weakened against the euro.
Previously, Streeting had briefly met with Starmer in the Prime Minister’s Downing Street office, but the Health Minister’s team said they would not comment on that meeting to ensure he was not distracted from the King’s speech.
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Streeting went to X to promote his achievements in combating waiting times in the British state health service. ‘A lot done, a lot to do’, he wrote, without addressing the report.
Starmer tried to ignore challenges to his authority and the King’s Speech – written by the government and delivered by the monarch – announced plans to boost economic growth, energy security and defence.
But a direct challenge from Streeting would signal a deeper crisis for Starmer, which could trigger a new leadership contest if the Health Minister has the support of 81 Labor MPs to launch a bid.
That could encourage other rivals to enter the race, although two potential challengers, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and former deputy first minister Angela Rayner, will have to overcome hurdles before they can stand.
