Senior figures within the government are actively pushing for the sacking of Health Secretary Wes Streeting, according to reports emerging from Westminster. The internal pressure, believed to originate from a briefing war within Downing Street, highlights a significant rift at the top of the Labour Party.
The Source of the Pressure
The calls for Mr Streeting's removal are attributed to his "outspoken opinions" and a perception among some colleagues that he harbours ambitions to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. These tensions have reportedly been simmering for some time but have now erupted into public view through a series of damaging briefings. A spokesperson for the Health Secretary criticised the timing of these anonymous attacks as "incredibly stupid", particularly given the current political challenges posed by both Reform UK and the Conservative Party.
Downing Street's Defence
Despite the mounting pressure from within his own party, sources close to the Prime Minister have moved to publicly back Mr Streeting. A Number 10 source stated that the Health Secretary is doing a "great job" and remains a "key player in the team". This defence suggests the Prime Minister is not currently inclined to bow to the internal demands for a cabinet reshuffle. The situation places Sir Keir Starmer in a difficult position, forced to manage competing factions within his top team.
Political Repercussions and Context
The controversy comes at a sensitive time for the government, which is keen to present a united front. The public airing of grievances risks undermining public confidence in the government's handling of the National Health Service. Furthermore, it draws attention away from policy agendas and towards internal Labour Party machinations. Allies of Wes Streeting have hit out strongly against what they see as a coordinated and destructive campaign against him, arguing it serves no one but the political opposition.
The reports first surfaced on Saturday 17 January 2026, adding to a tumultuous start to the year for the Health Secretary, who recently apologised after a patient spent 29 hours on a trolley in a corridor at the Royal Liverpool Hospital. This latest episode of internal briefing wars suggests that the battle for influence and the future direction of the Labour Party is intensifying behind the scenes.
