Starmer-Streeting latest: Health secretary arrives at No10 for showdown talks with PM ahead of King’s Speech

Ahead of Wes Streeting’s showdown with the prime minister this morning, The Independent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul reveals why the health secretary stands no chance at being Sir Keir Starmer’s successor in 10 Downing Street.

The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

Nick Thomas Symonds has argued that Wes Streeting does not have the numbers to challenge Sir Keir Starmer.

Asked whether the health secretary has the 81 MPs backing him necessary to trigger a contest, he told Sky News: “It would appear, from what I saw – and it was turbulent, I’m not hiding from from that – but it didn’t appear from what I saw yesterday that there was the the 81 numbers that are required around a single candidate, which is what our party leadership rules require there.”

He added: “Evidently, there isn’t a consensus either about even having a leadership contest. There was obviously well over 100 MPs yesterday saying that’s not what they want.”

Health secretary Wes Streeting has arrived at 10 Downing Street where he is expected to speak to Sir Keir Starmer following reports of a coup to claim leadership.

We will keep you posted with the latest updates.

Ahead of the King’s Speech later this morning, The Independent’s political reporter Athena Stavrou delves into this centuries-old tradition.

The speech marks the beginning of a new parliamentary session, and is both historically symbolic and an important moment where the government’s legislative plans for the year ahead are set out.

Traditions of the speech, which is part of the State Opening of Parliament, can be traced back to the 16th century, while the current format of the ceremony dates from 1852.

The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

Zubir Ahmed, who quit as a health minister and urged Sir Keir Starmer to step down on Tuesday, called for Cabinet members who are privately dissatisfied with the PM to say so publicly.

The Glasgow South West MP, who is an ally of health secretary Wes Streeting, said the situation was “unsustainable”.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: “I think it is very telling, just as ministers have stepped forward in the junior ministerial ranks to articulate their dissatisfaction – some of us publicly, but more of us privately – that the whole of the Cabinet has not, on this occasion, been able to articulate support for the Prime Minister in the full-throated way that perhaps would have had happened in the past.

“I think, therefore, that there is a responsibility in all of us, on all of us, in parliamentary ministerial office to be honest with ourselves and with the prime minister at this time.”

He continued: “I think people who are articulating their dissatisfaction with the prime minister in private, they do have a responsibility to say that in public and directly to him, because this situation is unsustainable. It is now unstable and I think, therefore, we do need an expedient and orderly transition.”

The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

Wes Streeting will meet with Sir Keir Starmer this morning, as the beleaguered prime minister desperately clings on to his job – and the ambitious health secretary aims to persuade him to step aside.

The health secretary currently finds himself in a tricky position, as he does not want to be the one to fire the starting gun on a leadership challenge and it is not yet clear whether he even has the numbers to do so. But as the PM finds himself teetering on the edge, the health secretary’s failure to make a move looks increasingly like cowardice.

Therefore today’s meeting – which comes amid the political breathing space offered to the prime minister by the King’s speech – is crucial for both of them.

Mr Streeting has a number of options. Either he calls on Sir Keir to quit, sets out his plans to challenge the prime minister or he calls a truce and confirms that he no longer plans to run.

If the health secretary has the numbers to challenge the prime minister, today’s meeting could spell the beginning of the end for him. But if he does not, its likely that it could just be the start of months of further jostling and uncertainty.

The Independent’s political correspondent Millie Cooke reports:

The King’s Speech will take place today, setting out the government’s legislative priorities for the next Parliamentary session as Sir Keir Starmer battles to save his job.

The primary aim of the speech is to “restore hope”, ministers said – including policies on immigration, green energy and reforms to special educational needs and disabilities (Send) schooling.

The government is expected to go big on defence as part of an attempt to show that Sir Keir is taking the threats from abroad seriously and bolstering Britain’s position on the global stage.

It will also include new laws to make it easier to take action against state-backed groups such as the proscription of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, following attacks on the Jewish community in recent months.

On immigration, legislation is expected on restricting the use of Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights – the right to respect for private and family life – as part of an attempt to see off the growing threat from Reform UK.

Leasehold reforms are also expected to be in the speech as the government said it wants to “give people more control over how they live in their own homes”.

Notably, the government’s pre-released trail ahead of the speech did not include further plans to crack down on welfare – despite such a move having been repeatedly floated ahead of the speech amid mounting pressure on ministers to slash the benefits bill.