Labour has entered its musical chairs era. Don't fall for another pointless death spiral | Nesrine Malik

"So Keir Starmer's allies briefed against Wes Streeting accusing him of plotting a leadership challenge, then Streeting denied the claims, and Starmer apologised for them, before belatedly claiming the briefing had not come from Downing Street at all. A claim so implausible that a government source said journalists must have all been tricked by several impostors posing as No 10 staff."

"If this sounds farcical, vaguely embarrassing for all concerned and massively irrelevant to your life, you would be right. But in between the first chapter and the last (or perhaps the penultimate, given the aftershocks still reverberating through No 10), the episode acted as a masterclass in the patterns that define the stakes of British politics and characterise the stakeholders."

Allies of Keir Starmer briefed against Wes Streeting accusing him of plotting a leadership challenge; Streeting denied the claims and Starmer apologised, later asserting the briefing did not originate from Downing Street. A government source suggested journalists had been tricked by impostors posing as No 10 staff. The episode highlighted recurring political patterns: a crisis of government and leader, a high-drama personnel focus on chiefs of staff and ministers, and the emergence of a leadership contender cast in salvatory terms. Observers debated possible tactics involving Morgan McSweeney, questions about Starmer's agency, and Streeting's strategic response.

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