Emma Barnett

He now thinks over the medium term, the best way to collect real numbers is to resign.

But in fact, he has royally, royally fucked it.

Although it is a week where his authority within the Labour Party is shattered and is not recoverable, in my view.

I mean, when we look at what the unions have said, when we look at what the PLP has said, we look at the fact there's now been a series of resignations.

I do think that one thing that has happened this week is it's clear that Starmer, one way or another, is on borrowed time.

And my big question now...

So I think two questions.

One is less important.

One more important.

One is obviously Streeting is going to have to be replaced.

So does Starmer use this as an opportunity to try and flex a bit of prime ministerial authority, show that there's still something left and have a wider reshuffle?

I suspect not, but you never know.

And then the second question is, I don't think necessarily the drama of today might be over because for me, all eyes now on Andy Burnham.

We have been briefed all week that Andy Burnham has got a seat and he's got a plan for getting back into Parliament.

If he were to say today, after Wes Streeting has resigned, after Wes Streeting said in that letter, appeared to give an almost tacit endorsement to Burnham, saying that this contest needs to be broad and it needs the best possible field of candidates, would the Prime Minister, would Keir Starmer really still have the strength and authority to resist it?

I think if he did, all hell would break loose.

in the Labour Party.

So over to you, Andy.

And that's precisely why all week I've been saying that, you know, Starmer's best move to guarantee himself a few months or at least and see what happens is to accede to Burnham's request.

But Burnham will never have a better moment if he's got a plan.