There are many uncertainties but Wes Streeting’s resignation spells the end of Keir Starmer’s premiership – although Starmer, the master of process, could yet use all his procedural skills to delay his departure. After all, his reaction to all his political blows so far has echoed Monty Python’s knight, “’Tis but a scratch”. 

That does not, of course, mean that Streeting will be the next leader of the Labour Party and prime minister. In a new poll of the party membership by Labour List, Starmer would be defeated by Angela Rayner, Andy Burnham or Ed Miliband, but he would beat Streeting.

Nor, as I write, is an imminent leadership contest a certainty. Streeting has yet to present the national executive with a list of 81 Labour MPs supporting his challenge. Only that can trigger game on.

If he has that support, the control over who enters shifts to the National Executive Committee. They will determine the timetable for the contest – that could........

© iNews