Streeting poised to strike: Contest to replace Starmer could be triggered today

The prime minister has warned there will be "chaos" if the Labour Party is plunged into a leadership contest, as he faces a seemingly imminent challenge from Wes Streeting.

Sir Keir Starmer spent much of Wednesday – which should have been defined by the King's Speech – meeting with cabinet allies and MPs in a bid to shore up support.

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The PM is understood to have told ministers a contest would "plunge" the party into "chaos".

But after a brief morning showdown with Mr Streeting failed to allay the health secretary's concerns about the government's direction, his allies told Sky News he is set to resign and run to take Sir Keir's job.

Until now, it's been uncertain whether he has the backing of the 81 Labour MPs necessary to trigger a contest. While nearly 100 have publicly called on the PM to go, some support other possible candidates.

Sir Keir himself would be expected to stand in the contest. Reports suggest Ed Miliband, the former leader and now energy secretary, and defence minister Al Carns are also considering a bid. Sir Keir's ex-deputy Angela Rayner has also been touted as a possible candidate.

As for Andy Burnham, the favourite of many on the left of the party, he would first need to give up his post as the Greater Manchester mayor and win a Westminster by-election. Multiple Burnham allies have told Sky News there is a seat waiting for him, but it's not been confirmed where.

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Any leadership contest would ultimately be decided by the membership. Mr Burnham, Ms Rayner and Mr Miliband, and possibly even Sir Keir, would fancy their chances of beating Mr Streeting, who is from the Blairite wing of the party and has come under scrutiny over his ties to Peter Mandelson.

Were Sir Keir to ultimately be replaced, the UK would have its seventh PM in 10 years. Labour-affiliated unions have declared they do not expect him to lead the party into another general election.

The uncertainty – which has been hanging over Westminster for months and supercharged by Labour's disastrous performance in last week's local elections – proved a distraction from Wednesday's King's Speech.

It saw the monarch outline the government's agenda for the coming year but could be rendered at least somewhat obsolete should the Starmer administration collapse.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch took the opportunity in the Commons to attack her possible future opponent Mr Streeting, suggesting he'd been too focused on a leadership bid to focus on his brief with the NHS.

After he was seen muttering in response, she said: "Why don't you just do your job? Do your job."

Sir Keir also made light of the situation during his statement, defending his "radical" plans for the country, and the health secretary appeared uncomfortable.

Mr Streeting has been accused of plotting a coup against the PM before. Downing Street appeared to suspect him of planning one before Christmas, but he denied it and received an apology.

Number 10 has insisted Mr Streeting retains Sir Keir's full confidence.

(c) Sky News 2026: Streeting poised to strike: Contest to replace Starmer could be triggered today