Reeves withdraws from Leeds communal event amid Labour leadership turmoil
Moderates warn Streeting leadership bid could let in left to reclaim Labour
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has withdrawn from a planned appearance at a communal event in Leeds, amid claims she is rallying support for the Prime Minister among Labour MPs as he faces a possible leadership challenge.
Reeves had committed to taking part in an event organised by the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) in the city of her constituency on Thursday evening.
However, an email confirmed she has been forced to postpone her participation in the “In Conversation” event due to “diary changes.”
The JLC said the Chancellor fully intends to attend the event at a later date as soon as possible.
Reeves is now expected to remain in London as she seeks to persuade MPs to back the Prime Minister amid widespread speculation that Health Secretary Wes Streeting is ready to resign and trigger a leadership contest—possibly as soon as Thursday.
On Wednesday she was seen in parliament discussing the state of play with Labour MPs.
Jewish News understands that Streeting has told allies he is prepared to resign, and has been personally calling aides to gauge the scale of regional support.
However, some of the Prime Minister’s key supporters have warned Streeting to consider the consequences of initiating a leadership contest he is not guaranteed to win.
No.10 aides are briefing that Starmer is ready to stand in any leadership battle.
Although another source suggested he may have to accept the game is up and map out a path for his departure if the support for him does not match expectations.
(c) Gretel Ensignia
Moderate Labour MPs are urging Streeting not to trigger a contest, warning that he could lose to a candidate more appealing to Labour’s soft and hard-left factions than Starmer.
The MP Luke Akehurst, speaking to The Times, said: “Wes is a huge talent and someone I’ve considered a political ally for about two decades. I would urge him not to throw the party into further chaos by resigning.
“The risk of initiating this process is that the outcome isn’t Wes Streeting becoming PM. It’s a candidate from the left of the party, and six years of hard work will be destroyed.”
While Streeting has long been an ally of the Jewish community, his recent adoption of a more hardline anti-Israel stance—seen by many as an attempt to woo left-wing MPs—has raised eyebrows.
Nevertheless, supporters of the Ilford North MP within the community have defended his record, including his support for Jewish Care and other charities.
One communal source said Streeting “understands the red lines” concerning the issue of Israel-Palestine.
Allies of the Prime Minister, such as Akehurst, argue that Streeting is not guaranteed to win a leadership contest, with the members’ vote likely to be decisive.
Both Andy Burnham—who has yet to return to Westminster—and Angela Rayner have previously reached out to the left of the party.
There is a prospect of Ed Miliband also deciding to stand as the left candidate.
They are also expected to be more outspoken over Israel than the current Prime Minister.
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