Everything you need to know about the Peter Mandelson scandal | Politics | News
Starmer may not survive the month (Image: Getty)
Everything you need to know about the Peter Mandelson scandal
- Starmer is battling a full-blown Labour civil war: Two of his most senior advisers resigned over the Mandelson scandal, forcing the Prime Minister to address MPs late Monday evening. He even ordered his Cabinet to send out messages of support on social media as the scandal threatens to engulf his premiership.
- The coup plots are in full swing: Moments after Sir Keir finished speaking to MPs, newspapers broke the story that Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, was plotting against him. Despite the Prime Minister’s attempts to rally support, mutinous backbenchers are openly briefing the media about wanting him gone.
- Streeting is making his move: The Health Secretary took to the airwaves to release all his personal messages with Lord Mandelson. Attempting to distance himself from the disgraced peer, the release was seen by some as a leadership pitch and by others as a public airing of his grievances with Sir Keir.
- Cabinet at war with itself: In those messages, Mr Streeting attacked Cabinet colleague Ed Miliband, who hit back Tuesday morning by accusing the Health Secretary of plotting a coup. Mr Miliband was then forced to rule out his own leadership bid, keeping the scandal dragging on for yet another day.
- Starmer may not survive the month: Less than two years into his premiership, Sir Keir is facing a crisis of his own making. Cabinet members are openly questioning whether he can make it to the end of the month, let alone the end of the Parliament. With a by-election around the corner and council elections after that, this scandal could be Sir Keir’s undoing.
