𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Sir Keir Starmer’s Cabinet has descended into open warfare after Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson launched a blistering attack on Wes Streeting. Ms Phillipson accused the Health Secretary of “rewriting history” as she brutally slapped down his claim that he helped lead the push for abolishing the two-child benefit cap, a key Labour policy.

In a December interview, Mr Streeting claimed: “It’s no coincidence that in the Cabinet, among the people pushing hard to abolish the two-child limit, were me and Bridget, because we have both lived through child poverty.” However, speaking to The New Statesman, Ms Phillipson hit back: “I think people ultimately know how this has come about, and shouldn’t try to rewrite history. I have been there right from the beginning, co-chairing the task force, initially with Liz [Kendall], who’s been fantastic … and then more recently with Pat [McFadden].”

Mr Streeting has been frequently accused of plotting a leadership coup against Sir Keir. Highlighting his role in pushing for popular Left-wing policies among Labour MPs would help him attract vital support.

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One friend of Mr Streeting said he was willing to stand against the PM after the Gorton and Denton by-election later this month, warning “we need to act quickly”.

The friend added: “There is a big risk that we meander and end up in this tepid decline where we all make ourselves feel better, but a Reform government becomes inevitable.

“Wes has the numbers, but it will require a steeliness and a determination that most colleagues have not to date shown.”

The Health Secretary said the claims were “categorically not true”.