by Independent political correspondent Millie Cooke
Wes Streeting has reportedly told allies that he is preparing to resign and trigger a leadership contest as soon as tomorrow, after his brief meeting in Downing Street with Sir Keir Starmer.
The Times reported that the health secretary used this morning’s meeting to confront the beleaguered PM over the chaos in his party, and told allies that he is “going to go for it”.
While Mr Streeting’s team has insisted that they don’t want to distract from the King’s Speech, the health secretary is now expected to trigger a formal contest later this week.
It comes despite rumours that he did not have enough support to do. One source organising for Mr Streeting told The Times: “If they [Starmer’s supporters] think this is over, they’re going to be disappointed. I’m expecting a move before the end of the week.”
But a spokesperson for the health secretary said: “Wes is the health secretary, he is proud of his record of falling waiting lists and a recovering NHS. He is not planning to say anything following his meeting with the prime minister that might distract from the King’s Speech.”
King begins his speech with a warning of a ‘dangerous and volatile world’
Athena Stavrou reports:
The King has begun to deliver his speech at the State Opening of Parliament from his throne in the House of Lords. Charles began his address, which was written by the government, by warning that ” an increasingly dangerous and volatile world threatens the United Kingdom”.
The King referenced the war in the Middle East as the most recent example of this, as he told Parliament that “every element of the nation’s energy, defence and economic security will be tested”.
As he began to lay out the government’s legislative agenda for the parliamentary session ahead, he said they will “respond to this world with strength and aim to create a country that is fair for all”.
Legislation to be introduced to remove peerages, says King
Legislation will be introduced to remove peerages, the King has said, in what appears to be a reference to Lord Peter Mandelson.
“My ministers will also introduce legislation to enable peerages to be removed.”
In the wake of the Lord Mandelson scandal, the Government promised legislation enabling the removal of peerage titles from “disgraced peers”.
There is currently no provision for the removal of peerage titles.