Labour MPs say ‘endless drama’ of leadership speculation must stop

Downing Street begins fightback against predictions of imminent challenge to Keir Starmer

Labour MPs are calling for a close to the endless drama" of leadership speculation, as Downing Street begins a fightback against predictions of an imminent challenge to Keir Starmer.

Some backbenchers warned that repeated briefings about how and when the prime minister could be toppled were putting off voters, who similarly had disliked the Conservatives' repeated shuffling of leaders when in power.