Electoral Dysfunction Is Wes Streeting now a shoo-in for Labour leader?
Nov 14, 2025
Wes Streeting's political maneuvering is causing a stir, with Downing Street briefings spiraling out of control. This chaos has left Keir Starmer's leadership looking shaky and MPs increasingly frustrated. Meanwhile, the BBC faced its own turmoil, with significant resignations tied to a controversial editing scandal. The hosts delve into the potential ramifications for party dynamics and the future of governance at the BBC, highlighting the rising ambitions of parliamentary contenders.
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Briefing Backfire Strengthened Streeting
- Number 10's attempt to leak and then control a leadership-rumour backfired spectacularly and strengthened Wes Streeting instead of weakening him.
- The episode exposed poor briefings and damaged Keir Starmer's authority, increasing leadership vulnerability ahead of May elections.
Shut Down Stories Fast
- If a government wants to kill a damaging story, decisively deny it immediately rather than drip briefings that create a story.
- Number 10 should have closed the narrative early to prevent amplification across major outlets.
Self-Inflicted Damage To Party Morale
- Harriet Harman called the saga a self-inflicted wound by Number 10 that weakened Keir Starmer's position and morale among MPs.
- She warned the 'faithfuls' were losing confidence because of repeated unforced errors from Downing Street.