WES Streeting will need to get the backing of Labour’s left-wing “gang of four” to be crowned Labour leaders, allies say.
The Health Secretary will need endorsements from Angela Rayner, Ed Miliband, Lisa Nandy and Lucy Powell to avoid a bloody contest, insiders believe.
Mutinous Labour MPs are thinking about trying to oust Sir Keir Starmer as leader after the local elections next May amid tanking poll ratings.
Most want a coronation to avoid a bruising drawn out contest that would make the party even more unpopular with voters.
An insider said: “Everyone wants to avoid a contest, but Wes will need the Soft Left not to scupper his chances.
“He won’t just need Angela’s endorsement. He will need Ed, Lucy and Lisa not to stand in the way.”
This “gang of four” are the leading voices of Labour’s powerful Soft Left faction.
Last night, Mr Streeting denied his allies had approached Mr Rayner to sign up for a joint ‘dream ticket’ for the leadership.
They dismissed reports of a Team Wangela slate as “silly season” chatter and said he is focused on ending the junior doctors strike.
But the corridors of Westminster continue to echo with chatter of leadership plots and potential coups.
Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner and Ed MIliband are all possible contenders for the top job.
In a fresh twist, some Labour MPs are starting to form an SOS – Save Our Starmer – campaign because they are terrified Mr Miliband could become leader.
‘Red Ed’ regularly tops polls of Labour members.
One Labour MP said: “I’m worried Miliband could end up as leader. Then I would be totally f**ked.
“That’s the argument to keep Starmer. Launching a leadership contest is like opening Pandora’s Box – we could end up unleashing Ed on the party.
“A man who the country already rejected to be Prime Minister in 2015.”
A spokesman for Mr Streeting said: “The only deal Wes is interested in is with the resident doctors to stop the Christmas strikes.”