The State Opening of Parliament, intended to reset the government’s political direction after recent elections, instead became dominated by growing uncertainty around Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the stability of his leadership.

The day began with a brief meeting between Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting, lasting less than 20 minutes. The discussion came after several days of mounting speculation that Streeting was preparing a bid for the Labour leadership.

Downing Street had hoped the King’s Speech would provide an opportunity for a political reset following the elections, according to the BBC’s Chris Mason. Instead, attention shifted rapidly toward questions over Starmer’s authority inside his own party.

By lunchtime, supporters of Streeting were telling the BBC they expected the health secretary to formally challenge for the leadership as early as tomorrow, deepening the sense of instability surrounding the government at a moment designed to project unity and legislative ambition.

As ministers later gathered in the House of Commons to debate the King’s Speech, Starmer held meetings with ministers inside Parliament. During those discussions, he warned colleagues that any leadership contest would “plunge us into chaos”.

The remarks reflected the seriousness of the political mood inside Labour, where anxiety over the direction of the party appeared to overshadow the government’s broader message for the parliamentary session ahead.

Political correspondent Nick Eardley described a party struggling to come to terms with how the situation had escalated to this point. With speculation continuing to build around Streeting’s intentions, Labour figures were left facing another period of uncertainty at the centre of government.

Much now appears likely to depend on developments over the next 24 hours, as ministers and MPs weigh the implications of a possible leadership challenge against the backdrop of an already difficult day for the prime minister.

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The turbulence surrounding Starmer ensured that a ceremony traditionally used to showcase governmental priorities instead closed under the shadow of internal political strain.