'Technocrat' criticism not aimed at Starmer, insists Streeting

WES Streeting has insisted he was not singling out the Prime Minister for criticism when he voiced frustration at the "technocratic" approach the UK Government has taken.

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The Health Secretary also ruled out the possibility of challenging Sir Keir Starmer's leadership alongside former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner.

Just weeks ago, Mr Streeting was the subject of a briefing war inside government, and he was forced to deny accusations from allies of Sir Keir that he was hoping to unseat the PM.

Yesterday, he insisted his comments in an interview with The New Statesman were not criticism directly aimed at Sir Keir, but were a warning for all his Cabinet colleagues to better communicate the purpose and achievements of the UK Government.

He told LBC: "No, it's not criticism of the Prime Minister.

"I think it is a challenge to all of us, because all of us in government, and in the Cabinet in particular, have a responsibility to get the government's message across, and sometimes I think what we're guilty of is coming on and listing a whole load of stuff we've done.