Starmer-Streeting latest: Health secretary leaves No10 after showdown talks with PM ahead of King’s Speech

Labour’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.”

Wes 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.

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.”