Keir Starmer has firmly denied authorising anonymous briefings against members of his cabinet after reports suggested some aides believed he could face a leadership challenge from health secretary Wes Streeting. At PMQs, he called such attacks completely unacceptable, insisting he appointed his ministers because they are 'the best people to carry out their jobs’. Streeting, who missed PMQs to address an NHS conference, rejected claims he was plotting a leadership bid and criticised what he described as a 'toxic culture' inside No 10 - though he does not believe the prime minister is responsible. Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of having 'lost control of his government’, while speculation persists within Labour about who might stand if a contest were triggered. Despite a large 2024 majority, Starmer’s leadership has faced turbulence; with the Budget and devolved elections looming, internal unity is being tested.