- Sir Keir Starmer is facing another day of questions regarding his leadership, with health secretary Wes Streeting reportedly considering resigning to mount a challenge for the premiership.
- Labour's trade union backers have withdrawn their support for Sir Keir, and Mr Streeting's team has not denied claims that he is poised to launch a leadership bid, despite a pause in further ministerial resignations on Wednesday.
- For a formal challenge, Mr Streeting would require the support of 81 Labour MPs; however, the 87 MPs who have publicly called for Sir Keir's resignation are not unified behind a single replacement candidate, with Angela Rayner, Ed Miliband and Al Carns also seen as potential challengers.
- Sir Keir is expected to contest any leadership challenge, having spent Wednesday meeting ministers and MPs to avert a coup, and plans to regain control of the political agenda on Thursday by introducing legislation to overhaul social housing.
- The prospect of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham returning to Parliament has diminished, as MPs rumoured to be willing to step down to facilitate his return have expressly denied such intentions.
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