Politics LIVE: Wes Streeting accuses No10 of 'self-destructive behaviour' and says Keir Starmer's 'boys tried to kneecap' him as Labour war escalates

Wes Streeting has accused Downing Street of "self-destructive" behaviour as he suggested the Prime Minister's team tried to "kneecap" him.

It comes after a night of chaotic briefings where allies of Sir Keir Starmer are said to be fearing he could be ousted in a matter of weeks if the Budget does not "land" well, and the Chancellor has strongly hinted on breaking Labour's manifesto to hike income tax.

Rivals, most notably the Health Secretary, are accused of launching shadowy leadership bids, which Mr Streeting's team has vehemently denied.

Asked whether he was planning a leadership challenge, the Health Secretary told Sky News: “No, and I think whoever’s been briefing this has been watching too much Celebrity Traitors.

"This is just about the worst attack on a faithful I’ve seen since Joe Marler was kicked out and banished in the final.

"It’s totally self defeating briefing, not least because it’s not true and I don’t understand how anyone thinks it’s helpful to the Prime Minister either."

Asked if he would rule out demanding Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation after the Budget, he said: "Yes, and nor did I shoot JFK.

"I don’t know where Lord Lucan is, had nothing to do with Shergar, and I do think that the US did manage to do the moon landings. I don’t think they were fake."

FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…

Wes Streeting makes last ditch attempt to prevent resident doctor strike

The Health Secretary is making a last-minute plea to resident doctors to call off their strike, but said the NHS would "do everything we can to keep the show on the road."

Wes Streeting is urging members of the British Medical Association (BMA) to scrap their walkout, which is scheduled to last for five days from 7am on Friday, and said doctors have seen an average increase in pay of 28.9 per cent.

Mr Streeting said he would not move further on pay, despite calls from the BMA for a 26 per cent uplift to counter what it says is pay erosion over time.

Chair of Labour Red Wall MPs warns against infighting - 'We're not having it!'

The Chair of the Red Wall group of Labour MPs has issued a warning against public infighting within the party.

Jo White, the MP for Bassetlaw, told The Guardian: "Our enemies love nothing more than when we start fighting like dogs in public, and my message to those MPs who are running around with their tails held high: That this is neither the time or the place.

"This is a group of people who think they’re much cleverer than the rest of us, who spend their time selectively briefing journalists and stirring the pot.

"I want to simply say: We’re not having it. I’d like to say to Downing Street, I think they’re barking up the wrong tree, briefing against Wes.

"I’ve known Wes since he was NUS president. He’s one of the tiny handful of MPs who came up to Bassetlaw to help me with my election. He’s only just recently written a really kind letter to one of my members who lost her husband.

"I think I’d know, he’d tell me if he was manoeuvring."

Liberal Democrat councillor defects to Reform in shock move

A veteran Liberal Democrat councillor and former Lord Mayor of Portsmouth has defected to Reform UK.

Jason Fazackarley, who was first elected to the city council in 1995, has joined Nigel Farage's party, citing "growing frustration with the direction of the Liberal Democrat administration".

Mr Fazackarley, who represented the Nelson Ward, said: "People change their minds over time, and politics should be no different.

"My views have developed, as have the concerns of residents. Reform UK now better represents my outlook and my commitment to standing up for local people."

Leader of the Reform UK group on the council Councillor George Madgwick said he was "delighted" to welcome Mr Fazackarley

He told the BBC he "brings decades of experience, a strong record of service, and a reputation for putting residents before politics".

Wes Streeting's team denies involvement in 'Wes For Leader' website

Wes Streeting’s team has shot down suggestions they were involved in the creation of a new "Wes for Leader" website.

The website was registered on Tuesday and appears to have branding which is similar to that of the Labour Party, reports The Telegraph.

A spokesman for Mr Streeting said: "It is categorically nothing to do with anyone around Wes. Someone’s mischief making again."

WATCH: Stephen Dixon blasts Brexit protesters after GB News interview interrupted by waving of Sooty and Sweep

Wes Streeting warns Keir Starmer 'hates' anonymous briefings  

Wes Streeting has said the Prime Minister won’t know who’s behind last night's briefing turmoil.

The Health Secretary told ITV: "Nothing grinds [Sir Keir's] gears more than this Westminster bubble stuff and the briefings to newspapers.

"You don’t see him angry often but the only time I’ve seen him angry at Cabinet meetings is when there’s briefings against colleagues.

"There are some people in Downing Street who evidently do not model the behaviour and styles of leadership that the Prime Minister has. It’s not self-service, it’s public service."

Labour support among young people in freefall as Greens surge

New polling suggests support for Labour among young people has plummeted in recent months, with 18-25-year-olds flocking to the Green Party and Reform UK.

The support for Sir Keir Starmer's party has collapsed from 43 per cent in March to 25 per cent in November among 18-25 year olds, reports ITV News.

Meanwhile, the Green Party under Zack Polanski has surged to become the party most popular with young adults, increasing their support from 16 per cent in March to 32 per cent in November.

Reform UK has also seen a rise in its support from young people, rising from 13 per cent to 20 per cent between March and November.

​Barry Gardiner says Downing Street has 'lost the plot'

A veteran Labour MP has suggested Downing Street has "lost the plot" in a night of briefing chaos.

Barry Gardiner, the MP for Brent West, told the BBC: "Quite honestly, everyday people looking at this tonight are going to say, for God’s sake, what do these politicians think they’re doing?

"You know, you circle the wagons and you end up in a circular firing squad. That’s what they’re doing.

"People want a Government that is going to say this is what we’re about, they don’t know, that’s why our poll ratings are so low."

WATCH: Daisy Cooper issues pre-Budget warning following night of Downing Street chaos

Former adviser to Keir Starmer says briefing 'cannot have been authorised'

A former adviser to Sir Keir Starmer has said the overnight briefing war "cannot have been authorised."

Luke Sullivan, who was political director for the Labour leader between 2021 and the election in 2024, said Sir Keir Starmer is somebody who "hates briefing."

He told Sky News: "Sitting in meetings of the shadow cabinet, one of his biggest frustrations was the fact that people chose to try and brief anonymously.

"And this is not how he does his politics. This is not how he likes to conduct himself.

"I think somebody thought this was a good idea, but it's blown up in their face."

Robert Jenrick suggests this is 'end of days stuff' as he takes aim at Prime Minister

Robert Jenrick said Sir Keir Starmer is "the worst Prime Minister I have ever seen" in a blistering tirade against Labour.

The Shadow Justice Secretary told GB News: "Its end of days stuff. You've got most unpopular p,m ever, you've got the most unpopular chancellor since records began... the country is going to pot at the moment.

"It's a total mess, [the Prime Minister] needs to get back to his day job and fix this country.

"It's not up to me to decide who Labour have as their leader, but Keir Starmer is the worst Prime Minister I have ever seen."

Wes Streeting calls for those involved in briefing war to be sacked

Wes Streeting has called on Sir Keir Starmer to sack Downing Street staff involved in the overnight briefing war.

When asked by the BBC if those involved should be sacked, the Health Secretary said: Yes. But [the Prime Minister] has got to find them first.

"I wouldn’t expect him to waste loads of time on this. I just think this interview is in many ways a reflection of the problem. We’re spending way too much time talking about what is ultimately Westminster bubble nonsense and trivia."

Alastair Campbell slams briefing furore - 'About as dumb as it gets'

Alastair Campbell has said the Downing Street briefing war is "about as dumb as it gets."

The former Labour spokesman said: "Whichever strategic genius has decided that what is needed now is to trigger lots of speculation about Keir Starmer's leadership is not as clever as they think.

"Whether done to shore him up or undermine him it is about as dumb as it gets. For heaven’s sake, just get on with governing."

WATCH: Former spokesman for Nigel Farage says it's not surprising that Keir Starmer is reportedly set to be ousted in a matter of weeks

RECAP: Here's what happened in a night of chaotic briefings

If you're just joining us this morning, it was a night of chaos as a flurry of late-night briefings sent Downing Street spinners into meltdown.

Briefings started last night when allies of Sir Keir Starmer briefed multiple journalists, telling them the Prime Minister was expecting a leadership challenge, and intends to fight it, reaching out for support from backbenchers.

Among those senior Downing Street figures, many anonymously suggested Wes Streeting was among gearing up to launch a coup against Sir Keir.

The Guardian reported senior figures had been told Mr Streeting has 50 frontbenchers willing to resign if the budget goes badly and Sir Keir doesn’t resign

This morning, the Health Secretary has downplayed the reports, suggesting a potential leadership challenge was “daft” and that the "Prime Minister is not fighting for his job this morning."

Asked if he would ever want to be prime minister, Mr Streeting told LBC: "I just think this is ridiculous. And no, the Prime Minister is not fighting for his job this morning.

"In fact, the last time I saw the Prime Minister on Monday evening with a small group of Cabinet colleagues, was to talk about how we’re going to fight the scourge of violence against women and girls. So I think this is daft, to be honest.”

By-elections in Tory heartland as Reform and Lib Dems aim to keep up momentum

A series of key by-elections are taking place tomorrow in Tory heartlands, with both Reform UK and the Liberal Democrats looking to keep up their winning momentum.

There are five by-elections taking place across the country this week, with two Lib Dem seats up for grabs.

GB NEWS MEMBERS CAN READ THE FULL PREVIEW HERE.

Daisy Cooper issues warning about speculation ahead of budget

Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader Daisy Cooper has warned Downing Street of speculation about Sir Keir Starmer's future ahead of next week's budget.

The party's Treasury Spokeswoman told GB News: "Many small businesses worried about what the budget means for them and I do worry with just two weeks to go, and this kind of talk could be very destabilising for markets.

"We have a Budget coming up and all the Chancellor is doing is hinting at tax rises, we are still in cost of living crisis and we have to get money back into people's pockets."

Across the Atlantic... Downing Street denies rift in 'special relationship' ahead of Donald Trump's BBC lawsuit vow

Yesterday, Downing Street suggested Sir Keir Starmer had not spoken to Donald Trump about his $1billion lawsuit against the BBC.

Asked when the PM last spoke with Mr Trump, a Downing Street spokesman said: "I refer you back to whenever we last put out a read-out" and added that any calls would be set out in the usual way.

The official insisted the pair enjoyed a "very strong relationship" - but dodged questions on whether that had been affected by Mr Trump’s spat with the broadcaster.

Then, overnight, the President took a veiled swipe at the British Government as he declared it was his "obligation" to sue the corporation.

"This is one of our great allies... the BBC - the Government has a big chunk of that one, I guess," Mr Trump said.

READ THE FULL STORY ON DONALD TRUMP'S THREATS HERE

Wes Streeting lands first blow in Wednesday's Cabinet war with testy social media message

Wes Streeting has opened a day of political turmoil with a testy social media message.

Mr Streeting, in an apparent bid to look gleeful, said: "Good morning! Really looking forward to setting out our plans to modernise the NHS and reinvest billions saved from cutting bureaucracy into the frontline so we can cut waiting lists!"

The Health Secretary did not mention reports of plans to amass 50 frontbenchers in a bid to topple the Prime Minister, which his spokesman denied last night.

Shabana Mahmood forced to rule out her own leadership plans - as Labour peer urges her to stop the boats instead

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood rejected suggestions she too had plans for a leadership bid, calling reports "nonsense" and saying there was "clearly one big No10 operation" underway to shore up the Prime Minister's position.

Then, on BBC Newsnight, Blue Labour chief Lord Glasman said she was "the only one of really genuine quality of the whole lot” around the Cabinet table.

The peer added: “But she's got a job to do... She's got to stop the boats, she's got to sort out the prisons.

“So at the moment, I'm not in favour of any challenge to the Prime Minister."

EXPLAINED: How many MPs would Wes Streeting need to trigger a leadership contest?

Under Labour's party rules, 20 per cent of the Parliamentary Labour Party would need to back a rival candidate to trigger a formal leadership contest.

In the current PLP, that amounts to 81 MPs.

With Wes Streeting reportedly helming a 50-strong army of frontbenchers, just 31 more would need to back him to kick off a coup.

As reported earlier, Mr Streeting's spokesman insists the coup claims are "categorically untrue".

"Wes's focus has entirely been on cutting waiting lists for the first time in 15 years, recruiting 2,500 more GPs, and rebuilding the NHS that saved his life," he said.

'It's NOT sustainable until May!' Labour braces for ANOTHER local elections drubbing as war breaks out in No10

Labour sources were quick to voice their fears of another local elections drubbing last night as reports filtered through of turmoil at the very top of Government.

One senior Labour MP told the BBC: "It's all very well to say wait for the locals, but that's my activist base I'm sending into the gunfire. I can't lose all my councillors."

Another Labour source said: "The list of reasons for people to move after the Budget are growing by the day... If Wes is brave and moves he may well be rewarded by being prime minister by Christmas."

One minister had earlier described their own PM as "hated".

There are currently 176 days until the locals.

But right now, Nigel Farage's surging Reform UK are riding high in the polls.

Fresh data from Opinium revealed that a third of Britons would vote Reform - with Labour (20 per cent), the Tories (17 per cent), the Lib Dems (12 per cent) and the Greens (11 per cent) either stagnant or backsliding.

Tories delight as internal Labour feud turns public

Robert Jenrick last night poured scorn on the news of a war inside No10, joining a slew of Tory frontbenchers in doing so.

"This Government is a total joke," he raged. "We have a weak Prime Minister who’s a hostage to his MPs. Meanwhile there’s rising unemployment, flatlining growth, NHS strikes, open borders, prisoners walking free... Get a grip."

Mr Jenrick went on to tell GB News: "There's all of these challenges facing the country right now, huge challenges.

"And yet they're going to be distracted now for weeks, maybe months.

"What is going to be six months now of speculation leading up to the local elections is the last thing the country needs when we want actually some leadership at the moment."

His Shadow Cabinet colleague Andrew Bowie, responding to reports of the feud, jabbed: "Honestly, guys, it took us 13 years to get to this stage…"

RECAP: Keir Starmer 'already fighting leadership election' as PM's allies goad rivals to mount challenge

The Times reported last night that Sir Keir Starmer was now privately vowing to fight off any challenge from Labour rivals looking to replace him as Prime Minister.

The PM, who is expected to face a drubbing in May, is preparing for pressure to mount after Chancellor Rachel Reeves's tax-hiking Budget on November 26.

No10 is said to have now gone into "full bunker mode", with critics claiming the Prime Minister's allies have ramped up briefings against his rivals.

However, Sir Keir's allies told The Times he will not resign in the event of any attempt to remove him and would contest any leadership contest triggered by Labour MPs.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE