Wes Streeting has resigned as health secretary and called on Keir Starmer to resign as prime minister, stating it would have been "dishonourable" to remain in post and that a contest for the Labour leadership should now take place. Streeting, a prominent figure on the party's right, had long been rumoured to be gathering support for a leadership tilt.
Streeting's Resignation and Call for Leadership Contest
In his resignation letter, Streeting criticised Starmer's determination to stay, writing: "Your heavy-handed approach to dissenting voices diminishes our politics." He added: "It is now clear that you will not lead the Labour party into the next general election and that Labour MPs and Labour unions want the debate about what comes next to be a battle of ideas, not of personalities or petty factionalism. It needs to be broad, and it needs the best possible field of candidates." Streeting told the prime minister during a 15-minute meeting on Tuesday that he had lost confidence in him, though Starmer indicated he would fight any challenge.
Support and Potential Candidates
Streeting will not immediately launch a challenge, as he likely lacks the requisite 81 MPs to force a contest directly. Instead, he hopes to see a broad leadership field, possibly including Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who would need to win a Westminster seat in a byelection. Other potential candidates include former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and energy secretary Ed Miliband. Several close allies of Streeting, including Jess Phillips, Zubir Ahmed, and Alex Davies-Jones, resigned from their positions on Tuesday, also calling for Starmer to resign.
Starmer's Position and Party Reaction
If Starmer does not resign, he would automatically be on the ballot in any leadership contest. His allies have made it clear he would fight to remain. Streeting's departure comes as Starmer faces record-low popularity ratings, just two years after winning a historic majority. In his letter, Streeting argued that the local elections showed Starmer's leadership was driving voters away, citing policy mistakes like cutting the winter fuel allowance and the "island of strangers" speech. No 10 sources remained bullish that Streeting lacks the support for a formal challenge, with one MP noting, "Wes's team were desperately trying to drum up support in the bars last night." However, ministers and MPs who met Starmer on Tuesday expressed deep unhappiness, with at least one minister, Josh MacAlister, reportedly urging Starmer to set a resignation timetable. Darren Jones, chief secretary to the prime minister, spent six hours persuading MPs to withdraw support for Streeting. Many MPs described a state of "paralysis" in the party, with some wanting an orderly leadership transition but unwilling to call directly for Starmer's resignation or back Streeting.
