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"It's hardly been the government's best period in government," one senior figure within the administration conceded following mudslinging one way and another, some in public, plenty more confidentially.

It began with undisclosed contacts with reporters, this reporter included, that Sir Keir would fight any attempt to replace him - and that senior ministers, such as Wes Streeting, were plotting challenges.

Wes Streeting asserted his loyalty remained with the Prime Minister and called on the sources of the briefings to lose their positions, with Starmer announced that any attacks on his ministers were considered "unjustifiable".

Inquiries about whether Starmer had approved the first reports to expose possible rivals - and whether the sources were operating with his knowledge, or approval, were introduced to the situation.

Was there going to be a leak inquiry? Might there be dismissals at what Streeting called a "poisonous" Downing Street environment?

What did those close to the PM hoping to achieve?

I have been numerous conversations to piece together what actually happened and how all this places Keir Starmer's government.

There are two key facts central to this situation: the administration has poor ratings as is the prime minister.

These realities are the primary motivation fueling the ongoing discussions I hear regarding what the party is trying to do to address it and what it might mean for how long Starmer continues in Downing Street.

But let's get to the fallout of all that internal conflict.

Damage Control

Starmer along with the Health Secretary had a telephone conversation Wednesday night to resolve differences.

Sources indicate Starmer apologised to the Health Secretary in the brief call and both consented to converse more extensively "soon".

They didn't talk about the chief of staff, the prime minister's chief of staff - who has become a lightning rod for criticism from various sources including the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch openly to government officials both junior and senior confidentially.

Commonly recognized as the architect of the political success and the strategic thinker responsible for Starmer's rapid ascent since switching from previous role, the chief of staff also finds himself among those facing criticism when the Downing Street machine seems to have faltered, struggled or completely malfunctioned.

He is not responding to requests for comment, while certain voices demand his head on a stick.

His critics contend that within the Prime Minister's office where McSweeney is called on to exercise numerous big political judgements, responsibility falls to him for how all of this unfolded.

Different sources within assert no staff member was behind any briefing about government members, following Streeting's statement those accountable ought to be dismissed.

Consequences

At the Prime Minister's office, there's implicit acceptance that the health secretary managed a series of planned discussions on Wednesday morning with grace, confidence and wit - despite being confronted by continuous inquiries regarding his aspirations since the reports targeting him occurred shortly prior.

According to certain parliamentarians, he demonstrated flexibility and media savvy they hope the PM possessed.

Additionally, observers noted that certain of the leaks that tried to shore up the PM led to a chance for the Health Secretary to state he shared the sentiment among fellow MPs who labeled the PM's office as hostile and discriminatory while adding those who were behind the leaks must be fired.

What a mess.

"I remain loyal" - Streeting rejects suggestions to contest leadership as Prime Minister.

Official Position

The PM, sources reveal, is "incandescent" at how the situation has unfolded while investigating how it all happened.

What appears to have gone awry, from No 10's perspective, includes both volume and emphasis.

Initially, officials had, maybe optimistically, believed that the briefings would generate media attention, rather than wall-to-wall major coverage.

The reality proved to be much louder than they had anticipated.

It could be argued a prime minister allowing such matters be revealed, by associates, under two years post-election, was certain to be headline significant coverage – as it turned out to be, across media outlets.

Additionally, regarding tone, they insist they didn't anticipate considerable attention concerning Streeting, later greatly amplified through multiple media appearances planned in advance recently.

Others, certainly, determined that exactly that the goal.

Wider Consequences

This represents additional time during which government officials discuss gaining understanding while parliamentarians many are frustrated concerning what appears as a ridiculous situation developing forcing them to first watch then justify.

While preferring not to these actions.

But a government and its leader displaying concern regarding their situation surpasses {than their big majority|their parliamentary advantage|their