Say one thing for Wes Streeting, the man has more front than Brighton. He sat in the House of Commons chamber, only slightly self-conscious, chuckling along to the warm cross-party badinage that constitutes the Humble Address following the King’s Opening of Parliament. Sir Keir Starmer was only a few yards away.

Elsewhere in Westminster his team had steam coming off their mobile phones as a frantic ring-round was under way to gauge how much support Streeting had. He needs above 81 MPs to challenge the Prime Minister after relations between the pair reached an all-time low.

Earlier a No 10 showdown concluded after just 16 minutes, with Streeting leaving the black front door stony-faced for the second time in 24 hours.

For Streeting, it’s now or never. Despite a letter from 100 or so supportive backbenchers, Starmer is at his most vulnerable. Some estimate the number of his MPs against may be twice as high.

And his opponents are not ready. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is not yet in Parliament – although he could find a seat within days – and Angela Rayner, former deputy prime minister, is still under the cloud of an HM Revenue and Customs investigation.

Despite early promises there would be no distraction from the constitutional significance of Parliament’s opening, Labour squabbles overshadowed the pomp. MPs gathered in knots to discuss the latest developments and discuss who the........

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