Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has resigned from the Cabinet, citing a lack of confidence in Prime Minister Keir Starmer. While he declined to launch a personal leadership bid, reports suggest he may have brokered a deal to support Andy Burnham's potential premiership.

The suspected trade for the Chancellor’s office

The resignation of Wes Streeting from his post as Health Secretary has triggered intense speculation regarding a potential political bargain . According to the report, Streeting’s decision not to launch a personal leadership campaign—despite declaring he had "lost confidence" in Keir Starmer—suggests he may have struck a deal to support Andy Burnham's bid for Prime Minister.

Observers suggest this maneuver could be a way for Streeting to secure a senior position, potentially as Chancellor of the Exchequer, in exchange for backing Burnham. This theory gains traction because Streeting is reportedly the least popular of the three expected challengers among Labour Party members, making a direct run for the top job a high-risk endeavor. Instead of a direct challenge, Streeting urged a "broad" contest, a move seen by some as more beneficial to Burnham's ambitions than his own.

The 81-nomination hurdle and the September timeline

A significant question remains regarding why Streeting did not move directly to challenge Starmer. there are conflicting views on whether the former Health Secretary simply failed to secure the 81 nominations from Labour MPs required to trigger a formal leadership contest, or if he has intentionally pivoted to a supporting role.

As the report notes, there is growing chatter within the Labour Party about a potential September timetable for replacing the Prime Minister. This timeline is being eyed by several heavyweights, including Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham, as they prepare for what could be a transformative period. In response to the instability, Keir Starmer has signaled his intent to fight any attempt to oust him, framing the upcoming struggle as a "battle for the soul of our nation."

Angela Rayner’s £40,000 HMRC settlement and the Cabinet vacancy

The political landscape shifted further following news that Angela Rayner has settled a dispute with HMRC. The former Deputy Prime Minister reportedly paid £40,000 to resolve issues regarding unpaid stamp duty, though she emphasized that no penalty was applied for any deliberate or careless tax avoidance.

This development, as reported by the source, creates a strategic opening within the Cabinet. With Rayner now cleared of wrongdoing, some insiders suggest her return to a senior role—perhaps even as Health Secretary—could provide much-needed stability for Keir Starmer. One ex-minister even joked that her return to the Cabinet would be a tactical move, noting that her personal habits might "go down well" in certain contexts.

Did Streeting fail to reach the 81-nomination threshold?

The core uncertainty remains whether Wes Streeting's actions were a calculated move or a failed attempt at a coup. While the allegations of a deal between Streeting and Burnham are circulating, several key details remain unverified. It is currently unclear if Andy Burnham has officially entered into a formal agreement with Streeting, or if the former Health Secretary's call for a "broad contest" was merely a tactical attempt to facilitate Burnham's path to a Westminster seat.

Furthermore , the source does not confirm whether Starmer's response to the challenge will involve a formal internal investigation or a purely political defense. The true motivation behind Streeting's lengthy departure letter—which notably made no mention of his own leadership ambitions—remains a subject of intense debate among party insiders.