Wes Streeting is now diligently regurgitating the ridiculous government spin that Morgan McSweeney “couldn’t have known” his WhatsApp messages would be need to be preserved when his phone was stolen last October. Speaking on Times Radio this morning:
“I suspect that off the back of this there will be a reiteration of the expectations on ministers, special advisers and officials… people will want to tighten up on those fronts inevitably… I would just say, and I can totally understand the cynicism in these cases, do bear in mind that when his phone was stolen, it was reported to the police at the time. And he couldn’t have known at the time that Parliament would ask for the publication of all messages in the way that they have in quite an unprecedented way.”
Which is obviously total rubbish. Even in September, weeks before McSweeney’s phone vanished into the night, there was an expectation the Tories would use a humble address motion to disclose all material on Mandelson’s appointment. Labour fully anticipated it…
Confirming the UK Health Security Agency’s (UKHSA) plan for a ‘targeted’ vaccination programme for students who live in Kent University’s Canterbury campus accommodation. The programme “may expand further” depending on the UKHSA’s risk assessment…
As February comes to an end No10 is shoring up plans for a reshuffle to keep Starmer in power for as long as possible. Guido reported extensively on these intentions back at the beginning of the month…
It is still early doors because Gorton & Denton and the May elections have not yet taken place. The extent of the hit Starmer takes from those will decide the outcome of whatever reshuffle efforts – or indeed lead to a Labour regicide…
After internally discussing whether to sack Wes Streeting as a one-off three weeks ago Downing Street sources say reshuffle plans include a removal of the ambitious leadership contender, a “disloyal and disruptive” minister who has to be “tackled” – a senior Labour source adds: “We need someone at Health who isn’t thinking about personal ambition.”
There is no current plan for ministerial moves prior to May or just after Gorton & Denton. If Starmer is strong enough No10 staff plan to move left in terms of appointments but avoid giving the soft left a go at the Treasury. That means retaining Reeves or replacing her with compromise candidate to satisfy left-wing bloodlust. Markets, markets, markets…
A Downing Street source said the shape of a reshuffle “depends on how febrile it is after May.” A Labour wipeout would leave Starmer with little leverage…
Much also depends on new Cabinet Secretary Antonia Romeo, who survived a blob-led campaign against her appointment. Downing Street now regards her as safe. As Guido has tracked across many months it is the Cabinet Office which is failing on numerous cylinders. The clock is ticking to fix that one…
Reeves has emerged from hiding to defend her economic programme after a new set of sclerotic GDP statistics. She also found time to dunk on the Health Secretary…
The Chancellor:
She hit back at Wes Streeting, who released messages with Peter Mandelson in which he said there was “No growth strategy at all”:
“Wes Streeting said yesterday that he was wrong in his text messages to Peter Mandelson because the economy has grown this year because interest rates have come down six times.We have a plan. We have a plan to grow our economy and that plan is beginning to deliver.”
Desperate stuff…
The Number 10 spokesman has refused to confirm Wes Streeting will continue as Health Secretary until the next election. Asked at the Lobby briefing of political journalists, the spokesman simply said he “would not go through the Cabinet on that“. Although he did say the Prime Minister still retains confidence in a man who thinks the government “has no growth plan“, but wouldn’t go any further. There’s the kiss of death…
As for Streeting upsetting the Met by releasing his WhatsApp messages to Mandelson last night, the spokesman said “we’ve been clear throughout that we are working with the Met, you’ve got the Met’s statement this morning“. A statement which warns “it is vital due process is followed” and no other Cabinet minister gets any bright ideas. The government’s position hasn’t changed for a few weeks apparently, even though a leading member of that government went rogue last night…
Hacks pointed out Number 10 had previously committed to retaining Rachel Reeves as Chancellor for the full Parliamentary term. David Lammy received the same guarantee when he was Foreign Secretary shortly before being demoted moved to the Justice brief. As Guido reported this morning, there were jittery plans within Number 10 overnight to sack Streeting to reassert Starmer’s authority…
Such is the furious pitch of the war between the Streeting camp and the No10 team that staff in Downing Street were last night discussing whether to sack the Health Secretary. Circular firing squad…
Streeting has been accused by No10 of co-ordinating with Anas Sarwar over the weekend to come out against Starmer. His team denies this. The Health Secretary has also released some of his (erudite and Starmer-critical) WhatsApp messages with Peter Mandelson in order to stave off claims from rival leadership teams that he was too close to the disgraced ex-ambassador. A communications flurry – ironically sharing ministerial texts with Mandelson has now been banned by Cabinet Office civil servants after Wes’ stunt…
Guido hears discussions were not raised with the PM’s level, though serious proposals were considered to remove Streeting from post, in order to make an example of him to assert Starmer’s authority after the Sarwar intervention was shot down. A No10 source says acting joint Chief of Staff Vidhya Alakeson led the overexcited planning effort against Streeting…
A Downing Street source tells Guido the situation has calmed overnight, though some expect Political Cabinet today to produce fireworks. No10 staff are furious at Streeting who is perceived as far more actively jostling for the leadership than any other would-be contender. Ed Miliband made calls this morning to “moveon.org” from the briefing and focus on entirely changing Starmer’s policy agenda. The PM’s trolley rattles on with about one wheel left…
Speaking to Sky News off the back of Rachel Reeves’ Air Passenger Duty hike, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said:
“Labour is dependent on those Red Wall seats, and yet every move she makes poisons economic growth and damages the UK’s recovery… it’s the Chancellor who stumbles from policy misstep to policy misstep… I think her policy decisions are incredibly stupid.”