Wes Streeting, the Labour MP for Ilford North since 2015, has seen his profile rise amid speculation of a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer. Despite holding a slim majority of just 528 votes, many constituents in his Ilford North constituency express fondness for him and support for his potential bid for the top job.
Local Support for Streeting
Lesley, a Tesco worker in Barkingside, said: “He’d be very good. He comes into Tesco’s a lot, he’s a nice man. He talks to all of us.” When asked about Starmer, she gave two thumbs up and asked, “Is he getting rid of Starmer?”
Paul Hipkins, a resident walking down Barkingside high street, said he would like a new prime minister but preferred Nigel Farage. He acknowledged that a leadership election “could go wrong and cause more problems” but added, “I’ve seen him around, I like him.”
Political Fatigue in the Constituency
Amber, 21, sipping a latte in a Barkingside cafe, expressed political fatigue: “A lot of things Labour has done have backfired, but it’s a whole party problem, it can’t be changed by changing the leader.” She warned that a general election could lead to a Reform victory, saying, “Changing leader might not be the best thing in terms of stability.”
Rochelle Clifford, a 67-year-old teacher, agreed: “It could be dangerous changing leader – the last lot did it, look what Liz Truss did to this country.” However, she wouldn’t mind Streeting as prime minister: “He can’t be worse than the idiot we’ve got. He’s not a bad local MP.”
Streeting's Local Presence
Almost everyone spoken to by the Guardian said they had met Streeting in local cafes and supermarkets, and he was always up for a chat. Jamila Amin, 54, said: “He’s a good man. I think he would make a good prime minister, but I think Keir Starmer should be given a chance.”
At the Station cafe in Gants Hill, owner Mahmed Firuz said: “I like him very much, he comes in a lot. I think he is a good man, he is very friendly.” He added that a change of prime minister would be welcome, and Streeting could be good for the role.
Electoral Context
Streeting has been campaigning hard to boost his majority. His team pointed to Redbridge’s performance in recent local elections, where Labour won with a healthy majority despite predictions of losses to independent candidates. At the count, Streeting said: “To all of those naysayers who claimed I couldn’t win Ilford North at the next general election, I will be standing in Ilford North at the next general election. This is my home, I’ve served this community for well over a decade, I’m not going anywhere, I’m in it to win it.”
Iliana, a social worker, also likes Streeting: “I live in Redbridge and every time me and my sister have written to him he’s been very responsive.” She does not want a change of prime minister, saying, “Just leave him to do his job. What’s happened to the world today – I think this country needs stabilising.” When asked if Streeting would be a good prime minister, she laughed and said: “Well, he’d be a lot better than Farage. He does seem like a serious person. When I see him, I think ‘leadership’.”
