In a heated exchange on GB News, Camilla Tominey confronted Wes Streeting about the mounting pressure on Sir Keir Starmer amid Labour’s internal turmoil.
GB News’ Camilla Tominey delivered a crushing blow to Sir Keir Starmer. (Image: GB NEWS)
GB News host Camilla Tominey grilled Wes Streeting on Sunday’s programme as to whether it’s time for Sir Keir Starmer to resign following a series of humiliating policy U-turns. This week even saw some members of the Labour Party rebel against their leader, as more than 120 Labour MPs threatened to vote against a bill that included welfare reforms. One frontbencher had already quit over the plans, while others were understood to be prepared to do so if agreement had not been reached. Tominey asked Streeting: “Keir Starmer doesn’t really know what he’s doing, does he? We have got another screeching turn on benefits, after the screeching turn on the winter fuel payments…” The Health Secretary responded: “I don’t agree with that. You look at some of the interviews the prime minister has done today. One of the things I like and respect about the guy is that when things go wrong, he acknowledges his mistakes. He takes responsibility for it.”
Camilla claimed Keir Starmer has “no idea what he is doing”. (Image: GB NEWS)
Starmer offered Labour MPs “massive concessions” on his controversial welfare bill, a move that gained key rebels and likely saved the Prime Minister from a damaging Commons defeat next week. Leading MPs said they had been promised significant changes, which will cost the Government several billion pounds over the next few years.
The compromises on the planned cuts, understood to include applying the changes only to new claimants and further consultation on the most controversial cuts to disability benefits, were made during a tense day of talks with Downing Street.
They represent a significant U-turn from Starmer, who had said for weeks he would not change course. One opposition figure said: “They’ve offered massive concessions, which should be enough to get the bill over the line at second reading.”
Another added: “We always wanted to protect the most vulnerable, not to destroy the bill or cause the government trouble. We always hoped there would be an off-ramp, and that’s what we have now.”
More hardline rebels were urging their centrist colleagues not to drop their objections. Still, with ministers insisting they would hold the vote on Tuesday, more moderate MPs were understood to be backing the government’s proposals.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves had factored savings from the cuts into her Spring Statement—designed to help meet her economic plans—but it is now unclear how the new changes will affect these.
Working-age health-related benefit spending has increased from £36bn to £52bn between 2019 and 2024, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) think tank. It is expected to double to £66bn by 2029 without changes to the system. A Downing Street spokesperson said details of how the changes would be paid for would be set out at the Budget in the autumn, but said that there would be “no permanent increase in borrowing”.
