Starmer warns against leadership contest in pleas to ministers and MPs

Starmer warns against leadership contest in pleas to ministers and MPs20 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJoshua NevettPolitical reporterPA MediaEmbattled Sir Keir Starmer has warned his ministers and MPs a challenge against his leadership could "plunge us into chaos", after attempting to win them over with what he called a "radical" plan to change the country.Sir Keir sought to rally his quarrelling MPs behind a package of new laws, which he said would "end the status quo that has failed working people".He promised reforms to areas including health, housing and immigration, before meeting ministers and MPs in Parliament.Sir Keir is battling to save his job after four ministers quit and dozens of Labour MPs urged him to resign, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting thought to be plotting a leadership challenge.Supporters of Streeting told the BBC they expected the health secretary to challenge Sir Keir for the Labour leadership as soon as Thursday.Streeting would need the support of 81 MPs to trigger a leadership contest under the Labour Party's rules.Streeting met the prime minister in No 10 Downing Street for less than 20 minutes on Wednesday morning, after days of intense speculation that he is preparing a bid to replace him.The prime minister's spokesman said Sir Keir had "full confidence" in Streeting but would not comment on the details of their meeting.On Wednesday evening, Sir Keir held a series of meetings with Labour MPs and ministers in Parliament, telling colleagues: "We cannot let a leadership contest plunge us into chaos - a challenge would 100% do that."The BBC has been told there were two meetings, one with ministers of state and one with more junior ministers, and they lasted about 15 minutes.Ministers told Sir Keir the government needed to act more like insurgents and govern differently, and the prime minister accepted he needed to change. Chris Mason: Starmer hopes to save his...