LONDON: The irony wasn’t lost on anyone. On a day when the British government’s legislative plans were presented by no less than King Charles III himself, Prime Minister Keir Starmer was fighting to remain in power following rising discontent within his Labour Party. The traditional pomp and pageantry associated with the state opening of Parliament was overshadowed by the political intrigue, specifically the mounting speculation that Health Secretary Wes Streeting was planning to quit Starmer’s government and launch a leadership bid as soon as Thursday.

The health secretary scrambles to oust prime minister and take the reins while Andy Burnham races to become MP

Downing Street insiders suggest health secretary does not yet have the support for a leadership push

Wes Streeting to hold crisis meeting with PM – but 100 Labour MPs say ‘this is no time for leadership fight’

There were a total of 37 bills announced as part of the speech