The Story The State of It: Wes bottles it and Labour's left grabs the steering wheel
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Feb 10, 2026 A Westminster crisis recap, from a frantic Number 10 war room to rapid damage control. Tension over leadership moves and whether a leftward shift is now inevitable. The Wes Streeting psychodrama and leaked WhatsApps spark claims of smears. looming Mandelson files promise further revelations and a slow-burn threat to the party's stability.
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Anas Sarwar's Weekend Phone Drama
- Anas Sarwar rang Keir Starmer and threatened to call for his resignation after weekend private calls with senior Labour figures.
- Number 10 scrambled a hastily assembled war room and feared the prime minister's survival was in doubt.
Cabinet Performance Reversed Momentum
- A co-ordinated cabinet show of support can reverse an immediate leadership threat.
- The performative mass messaging and tweets materially strengthened Keir Starmer's position overnight.
Wes Streeting's Public Clash With Number 10
- Number 10 briefed aggressively that Wes Streeting 'bottled it' and acted as an outrider for Anas Sarwar.
- Streeting countered by accusing Number 10 of smearing him and released his WhatsApp messages with Peter Mandelson.
