Starmer to meet with Streeting ahead of King's Speech

Sir Keir Starmer is due to meet with mooted leadership rival Wes Streeting in Downing Street this morning – just hours before the government's agenda for the coming year is laid out in the King's Speech.

Sir Keir will hold talks with the health secretary amid growing calls for the prime minister to step down, with four government ministers, including Home Office minister Jess Phillips, resigning on Tuesday.

Politics Hub: Follow the latest from Westminster

Six parliamentary private secretaries have also quit, while more than 80 of Sir Keir's own MPs have called for him to go after Labour lost almost 1,500 council seats in England in last week's local elections.

In what was seen as a crucial cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the prime minister vowed to fight on, saying the UK "expects us to get on with governing" and "that is what I am doing".

Mr Streeting is seen as a major contender in any potential leadership contest; however, allies of the cabinet minister have previously denied he is trying to launch a coup.

Another mooted rival to the PM is Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, but he would first need to become an MP via a by-election. Former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman has called on Sir Keir to bring him into the fold.

Britain at a 'pivotal moment'

It is believed the health secretary wants to discuss the "turbulence gripping the party", but it is "not clear whether he's going to call on the prime minister to set out a timetable for his departure", Sky's political editor Beth Rigby reports.

Rigby added that Mr Streeting is not likely to disclose anything discussed in the meeting before the King's Speech in the House of Lords, where Charles will announce plans for the government's proposed legislation over the next year.

More than 35 bills and draft bills are expected to be unveiled, targeting the UK economy, energy and national security.

Ahead of the speech, Sir Keir said that "Britain stands at a pivotal moment: to press ahead with a plan to build a stronger, fairer country or turn back to the chaos and instability of the past."

The prime minister claimed the new legislation would focus on "cutting the cost of living, bringing down hospital waiting lists and keeping our country safe in an increasingly dangerous world".

Support for Starmer

Despite a growing list calling for him to resign, a number of allies are backing the prime minister.

More than 100 backbench MPs and ministerial aides have put their name to a statement saying the Labour Party needs to focus on "working together to deliver the change the country needs", insisting that "this is no time for a leadership contest".

Read more from Sky News:
Who is Wes Streeting?
Plaid Cymru leader named first minister of Wales

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy gave the prime minister his "full support" and urged Labour MPs to "step back, take a breath".

Mr Lammy said that "no one seems to have the names to stand up against Keir Starmer" and called on those calling for the PM to step down to "say which candidate would be better".

He added: "It's been 24 hours now and nobody has come forward to put themselves forward in the processes that exist in the party.

"Let's get on with the business of running this country and government."

Trump: It's up to Starmer if he quits

Meanwhile, when asked by Sky's US correspondent Mark Stone on Tuesday if Sir Keir should stay on as prime minister, Donald Trump said: "That's up to him."

The US president reiterated his call for the UK to "open up the North Sea" and claimed the PM was "getting killed on windmilling your country to death".

Mr Trump added: "You've got one of the great oil finds anywhere in the world, and you're not using it, and you're not allowed to use it, and it's one of the best in the world.

"Open up your oil in the North Sea and get tough on immigration."

(c) Sky News 2026: Starmer to meet with Streeting ahead of King's Speech