Keir Starmer 'looks threatened' as one thing could make PM unravel

Sir Keir Starmer appears “threatened” and could “unravel” if Wes Streeting triggers a leadership battle, a body language expert has claimed. The Prime Minister’s appearance during a week of deepening Labour turmoil has come under intense scrutiny as pressure mounts from MPs, ministers and unions over his future.

Darren Stanton, speaking to OLBG, said: “Keir Starmer appears threatened. He looks like he is managing a lot of thoughts while trying to portray the optics of being someone cool and calm. I think if Wes Streeting does trigger a leadership battle, we will see him unravel. Anyone on the brink of having to resign would try to present themselves as calm and collected; he is trying to come across unfazed, unbothered. His face is very red; he is in fight or flight. His smile does not appear genuine, his whole face doesn’t engage, signalling that we aren’t seeing his true emotions. His animation is very minimal.”

Mr Stanton contrasted Sir Keir’s demeanour with that of Kemi Badenoch, suggesting the Conservative leader appeared considerably calmer during recent public appearances. Mr Stanton said: “In contrast, Kemi Badenoch shows emotion; her whole face is engaged when she smiles.

"We can see that she is very relaxed and calm and isn’t carrying the stress he is. Despite the two of them interacting, Starmer is not really in the room, and his body shows this.”

Sir Keir has spent the week fighting to cling on to power as Labour descends into open division over his leadership ahead of Wednesday’s King’s Speech. The Prime Minister managed to survive an immediate threat to his position on Tuesday despite four ministers resigning and at least 80 Labour MPs reportedly demanding he stand down.

However, more than 100 other MPs signed a rival statement backing Sir Keir and warning that “this is no time for a leadership contest”.

Mr Streeting confronted the Prime Minister in Downing Street over the crisis engulfing Labour before the King’s Speech, with crunch talks between the pair lasting less than 20 minutes.

The Health Secretary is believed to have told allies he is preparing to quit Government on Thursday in a move that could trigger a formal leadership battle. Following the meeting, Mr Streeting ignored reporters shouting questions as he left Number 10, while his team failed to deny claims he was poised to resign.

Mr Streeting later posted on X promoting the Government’s NHS record, but unlike other senior ministers he did not publicly reiterate his support for Sir Keir during the height of Tuesday’s turmoil. During a tense Cabinet meeting earlier this week, Sir Keir reportedly insisted there was a clear process for challenging a Labour leader and argued it had not been triggered.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy also questioned whether rivals had secured the support of the 81 MPs required to formally launch a contest. Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds acknowledged the week had been “turbulent” for the Prime Minister but insisted the Government was “moving on”.

Mr Thomas-Symonds dismissed speculation over the Streeting meeting, insisting the pair were simply “having a coffee” and mocking suggestions of a dramatic showdown.

However, Labour’s affiliated unions dramatically escalated the crisis on Wednesday by withdrawing support and warning the party “cannot continue on its current path”.

The Tulo group, representing 11 unions including Unite, Unison and the GMB, said it was now “clear” Sir Keir would not lead Labour into the next election and called for preparations to begin for a new leader. Meanwhile, the SNP said it would seek to force a Commons vote on Sir Keir’s future through an amendment to the King’s Speech.

Senior Labour figures including Mr Streeting and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham are increasingly viewed as potential future contenders, while allies of Ed Miliband have denied reports he is preparing a leadership bid.

With tensions deepening inside Government and speculation growing around Mr Streeting’s next move, Mr Stanton’s warning that Sir Keir could “unravel” if challenged is likely to intensify questions over how long the Prime Minister can survive the crisis engulfing Labour.