Henry Zeffman: PM puts himself back in the game for now

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Henry Zeffman: PM puts himself back in the game for now6 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleHenry ZeffmanChief political correspondentReutersCome and have a go if you think you're hard enough. Boil it down and that's what Sir Keir Starmer said to the cabinet today, at the start of what was - let's remember - just its standard weekly scheduled meeting. The prime minister's message was spoken to a full meeting of 28 cabinet ministers.

But it was directed at one person present: Wes Streeting, the health secretary. Streeting has been clear with the prime minister for months that he is ready for a leadership contest should one take place. But he has also been adamant that he would not be the person to trigger one.

The Details

As of first thing this morning, that remained his plan. Then the prime minister made his bold gambit, taking refuge in Labour Party rules. Keir Starmer latest: Follow liveAt a glance: Starmer grapples with leadership crisisWatch: Keir Starmer's message of defiance to his own partyThe Conservative system for displacing a leader, with which we all became so familiar in recent years, operates on the basis of whether MPs do or do not retain confidence in their boss.

The Labour system is different. For Sir Keir to be dislodged, 81 MPs would have to back a specific opponent to face off against him. There are clearly well north of 81 Labour MPs who want the prime minister out.

But the prime minister is cannily exploiting the divisions among them. Some want a slower leadership contest because they support Andy Burnham who is not currently an MP. Others want the prime minister out now because they back Streeting.

What Experts Say

So, will Streeting go for it? He did not rise to the prime minister's bait at the cabinet meeting. I'm told he took part in the scheduled discussion about the impact of conflict in the Middle East on the British economy.

Indeed, it sounds like there barely was a discussion about the leadership. The prime minister delivered his opening statement and then the conversation moved on very quickly to its planned discussion subject. There are claims from multiple sources that a group of ministers tried to see Sir Keir afterwards to discuss his leadership but that he refused to see them.

Regardless, a large group of ministers emerged quickly and were very supportive of the PM. It's being widely noted, too, that they included Business Secretary Peter Kyle and Science Secretary Liz Kendall, ministers who are seen as ideologically and personally close to Streeting. PA MediaMinisters including Pat McFadden were met with a flurry of questions from journalists as they left Downing StreetSo what happens next?

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.