Starmer-Streeting latest: Health secretary departs No10 after just 16 minutes with PM ahead of King’s Speech
Shadow minister reflects on leadership crisis: 'This is just a very unstable situation'Shadow minister Alex Burghart has commented on the brief conversation between Sir Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting.“I have no idea what went on in there but it’s very clear that this is just a very unstable situation,” he said on Sky News.“The Labour whips could only find a hundred people to say that they supported the prime minister and then it turned out some of those people didn’t even agree to sign the letter.“They’ve got 400 MPs, only a hundred people will go out in public for the prime minister. So it’s just unsustainable.”Bryony Gooch13 May 2026 09:31UK's long-term borrowing costs ease after Tuesday high UK long-term borrowing costs have eased back after reaching a 28-year high on Tuesday as Sir Keir Starmer continues to defy calls to stand down.The yield on 30-year UK government bonds – also known as gilts – was down by four basis points to 5.74 per cent in early trading on Wednesday.Yields had jumped as much as 13 basis points to around 5.8 per cent on Tuesday amid the uncertainty over the Prime Minister’s future.The yield on 10-year gilts was also down by four basis points to 5.066 per cent on Wednesday.Gilt yields move counter to the value of the bonds, meaning their prices fall when yields rise.Meanwhile, the pound was stabilising after the previous day’s falls. The currency was more or less flat against the US dollar, at 1.353, and up about 0.1 per cent against the euro, at 1.155.Bryony Gooch13 May 2026 09:15Watch: Former health minister urges Cabinet to go public with concerns about StarmerFormer health minister urges Cabinet to go public with concerns about StarmerBryony Gooch13 May 2026 09:00Full statement: Unions call for a fresh plan to elect of a new leader of the Labour PartyLabour’s affiliated unions have called for a plan to be put in place for the election of a new leader of the Labour Party.A statement from the TULO group, which represents 11 unions, said it was clear that the prime minister will not lead Labour into the next election.The statement said: “Labour is not doing enough to deliver the change that working people voted for at the general election. Our focus is on the fundamental change of direction on economic policy and political strategy that unions have been clear is needed, and not on the personalities and unfolding political drama in Westminster.“It’s clear that the Prime Minister will not lead Labour into the next election, and at some stage a plan will have to be put in place for the election of a new Leader.“This is a point where the future of the Party we founded will be debated and determined and we are working closely as unions to shape a shared vision on policy, political strategy and economic policy that will re-orient Labour back to working people, so Labour do what it was elected to do – govern in the interests of workers.”Bryony Gooch13 May 2026 08:56Breaking: Wes Streeting has left No10 following brief showdown with StarmerWes Streeting has left No10 Downing Street 16 minutes after he entered for a tête-à-tête with the prime minister.Many believed the conversation would be a key summit for the health secretary, who is believed to have attempted a coup against the prime minister in a bid for leadership.Bryony Gooch13 May 2026 08:52John Rentoul: Why it still won’t be Wes StreetingAhead 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.Bryony Gooch13 May 2026 08:45Watch: Streeting arrives at Downing Street for crunch talks with StarmerStreeting arrives at Downing Street for crunch talks with StarmerBryony Gooch13 May 2026 08:36Pictured: Streeting arrives at No10(Sky News)(Reuters)Bryony Gooch13 May 2026 08:31Minister argues Streeting doesn't have the numbers to challenge StarmerThe 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."Bryony Gooch13 May 2026 08:30
