Speculation grows that Wes Streeting may launch leadership bid as key aides resign and urge Starmer to quit

The fevered speculation came as a series of junior members of the UK government allied to Mr Streeting resigned their positions with ministers expected to follow.

The moves came after Starmer vowed to prove his doubters wrong on Monday as he clung to power despite growing calls from Labour MPs for him to quit.

His make-or-break speech in central London was met with cheers from his audience in the room, but failed to impress furious backbenchers still reeling from last week’s historically poor election results.

More than 60 Labour MPs from all wings of the party called on the prime minister to go immediately or set a timetable for his departure, and there was growing speculation that Mr Streeting was about to launch a coup.

Three government aides have now resigned joining scores of Labour MPs calling for Starmer to stand down following a disastrous set of local election results.

Joe Morris, a parliamentary private secretary to Wes Streeting, and Tom Rutland, a parliamentary private secretary to environment secretary Emma Reynolds, urged the UK prime minister to set out a timetable for his departure as they quit on Monday.

Cabinet office parliamentary private secretary, Naushabah Khan, also resigned calling for “new leadership” while Sally Jameson, a parliamentary private secretary to home secretary Shabana Mahmood, has also joined around 60 Labour MPs calling for Starmer to resign.

In a statement on X, Mr Morris said: “I have boundless confidence in the Labour Party and our ability to rise to this moment.

“However, regrettably, it is now clear that the Prime Minister no longer has the trust or confidence of the public to lead this change.”

Mr Rutland said the UK prime minister had “lost authority” within the Parliamentary Labour Party and across the country, and “will not be able to regain it”.

“Time and time again, speaking with voters at their doors, I heard little dislike for local councillors nor for the Labour Party, but the animosity towards the Prime Minister was clear from every voter who was choosing to vote for another party or considering doing so,” he said.

Ms Khan said: “I am calling for new leadership so that we can rebuild trust and deliver the better future that the British people voted for.”