In what position does the political infighting position the UK government?
"This has not been our best day since taking office," a senior figure in government conceded following internal criticism one way and another, partly public, considerably more confidentially.
It began with unnamed sources to the media, among others, that Sir Keir would fight any effort to replace him - while claiming cabinet ministers, particularly the Health Secretary, were plotting challenges.
Streeting asserted he was loyal toward Starmer while demanding the sources of the briefings to be sacked, while the Prime Minister stated that any attacks against cabinet members were considered "unacceptable".
Inquiries regarding if Starmer had sanctioned the first reports to flush out potential challengers - and if those behind them were acting with his knowledge, or consent, were thrown amid the controversy.
Would there be a leak inquiry? Could there be dismissals in what the Health Secretary described as a "poisonous" Number 10 operation?
What did those close to Starmer trying to gain?
This reporter has been numerous conversations to piece together what actually happened and how these developments leaves the Labour government.
There are important truths at the core of all of this: the government is unpopular and so is the PM.
These circumstances are the primary motivation underlying the constant conversations circulating regarding what the party is trying to do about it and what it might mean regarding the duration Starmer remains in office.
But let's get to the aftermath of all that political fighting.
The Reconciliation
The PM and Health Secretary Wes Streeting had a telephone conversation on Wednesday evening to patch things up.
Sources indicate Sir Keir said sorry to Streeting during their short conversation and both consented to speak more extensively "soon".
They didn't talk about the chief of staff, Starmer's top aide - who has turned into a lightning rod for criticism ranging from the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch publicly to Labour figures at all levels in private.
Widely credited as the architect of the election victory and the tactical mind behind Sir Keir's quick rise since switching from Director of Public Prosecutions, the chief of staff also finds himself the first to face criticism whenever the Prime Minister's office is perceived to have faltered, struggled or completely malfunctioned.
McSweeney isn't commenting to requests for comment, as some call for his dismissal.
Those critical of him maintain that in a Downing Street where McSweeney is called on to make plenty of big political judgements, responsibility falls to him for these developments.
Alternative voices from maintain nobody employed there was behind any information targeting a minister, after Wes Streeting said whoever was responsible should be sacked.
Consequences
At the Prime Minister's office, there exists unspoken recognition that the health secretary managed a series of pre-arranged interviews the other day professionally and effectively - although encountering persistent queries about his own ambitions as those briefings concerning him happened recently.
For some Labour MPs, he showed agility and knack for communication they desire Starmer demonstrated.
Furthermore, it was evident that various of the reports that tried to support the PM ended up creating a chance for the Health Secretary to state he supported the view of his colleagues who labeled Number 10 as toxic and sexist and that the individuals responsible for the reports ought to be dismissed.
A complicated scenario.
"I remain loyal" - Streeting rejects suggestions to contest leadership for leadership.
Internal Reactions
Starmer, it's reported, is furious about the way these events has unfolded and is looking into what occurred.
What looks to have failed, from the administration's viewpoint, includes both scale and focus.
First, they had, maybe optimistically, believed that the briefings would create certain coverage, but not continuous leading stories.
The reality proved considerably bigger than expected.
This analysis suggests any leader permitting these issues be known, by associates, under two years post-election, was always going to be leading significant coverage – exactly as happened, in various publications.
And secondly, on emphasis, officials claim they were surprised by such extensive discussion about Wes Streeting, that was subsequently massively magnified through multiple media appearances he had scheduled recently.
Others, it must be said, concluded that exactly that the intention.
Broader Implications
These are additional time when Labour folk in government talk about learning experiences while parliamentarians many are frustrated regarding what they perceive as an absurd spectacle playing out that they have to first watch and then attempt to defend.
While preferring not to both activities.
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