London politics LIVE: Streeting 'set to resign and trigger Starmer leadership battle' as King lays out PM's agenda

Health Secretary Wes Streeting is expected to resign today and announce a bid to replace Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader. If successful, Streeting would need the support of 81 Labour MPs to formally initiate a leadership challenge. While 87 MPs have publicly demanded Starmer’s resignation, no unified alternative candidate has emerged yet. Potential challengers include Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, though Burnham would first need a Commons seat. Starmer has been meeting ministers and MPs to prevent a leadership coup, but growing frustration persists. MP Markus Campbell-Savours called Starmer’s leadership ‘untenable,’ arguing loyalty now lies with constituents and the party’s recent election losses. Chris Curtis, another MP, urged Starmer to outline a resignation timeline, citing a lack of radical change in his economic plans. Angela Rayner, cleared of deliberate wrongdoing in a tax investigation, told *The Guardian* she would not ‘trigger’ a leadership race but did not rule out running. She criticized Starmer’s approach, stating ‘tweaks’ won’t address housing crises that cost Labour votes in London’s elections. Rayner highlighted voter distrust, with constituents believing the government is failing to tackle affordability. Labour’s recent electoral losses and internal divisions have intensified pressure on Starmer. MPs like Emma Lewell accused the government of operating in an ‘internal echo chamber,’ ignoring grassroots concerns. The party faces a crisis of confidence, with calls for new leadership growing louder amid economic challenges and geopolitical tensions.