Health Secretary Wes Streeting Reveals Election Fears in Private Texts with Lord Mandelson
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has publicly released his private WhatsApp messages with former US ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson, insisting he has "nothing to hide" about their relationship. The texts, published this week, show Streeting expressing deep concerns about his political future, particularly his chances of re-election in the Ilford North constituency.
"I Fear I'm Toast": Streeting's Dire Prediction for Ilford North
In the WhatsApp exchange, Streeting predicted he was "toast" at the next general election, pointing to Labour's recent electoral setbacks in the area. The conversation occurred shortly after independent candidate Noor Begum defeated Labour in a council by-election in March 2025, a particularly bruising loss as it involved a presumed safe seat previously held by former council leader Jas Athwal, now the MP for Ilford South.
Streeting wrote: "I fear we're in big trouble here – and I am toast at the next election. We just lost our safest ward in Redbridge (51% Muslim, Ilford [South]) to a Gaza independent. At this rate, I don't think we'll hold either of the two Ilford seats. There isn't a clear answer to the question: why Labour?"
Political Vulnerability and Electoral History
Streeting, who was first elected to the House of Commons in 2015, narrowly retained his seat in the 2024 general election with just a three-figure majority. He came within 540 votes of losing to independent candidate Leanne Mohamad, a British-Palestinian activist who stood in protest of Labour's support for Israel during the Gaza conflict.
The Health Secretary added that the government had "no growth strategy," while Mandelson responded that it lacked an "economic philosophy which is then followed through in a programme of policies."
Middle East Policy Discussions and Moral Imperatives
The published texts also reveal Streeting's private views on Middle East policy. In July 2025, he asked Mandelson about recognizing Palestine as a state, shortly after France took that step. Streeting discussed what he saw as a "moral" imperative for the UK to do the same, privately referring to "war crimes" being committed by Israel.
He told Mandelson: "Their government talks the language of ethnic cleansing and I have met with our own medics out there who describe the most chilling and distressing scenes of calculated brutality against women and children."
However, Streeting clarified that there were "no circumstances" in which he could abstain from or vote against the UK recognizing Palestine as a state, seen by many as a step toward a two-state solution. He emphasized his long-standing support for Labour Friends of Israel, a lobby group promoting Israel's interests, stating he has "never been a shrinking violet" regarding the Middle Eastern state.
Context and Motivation for Text Release
Streeting shared the messages with Sky News in an apparent attempt to distance himself from Mandelson, whose relationship with convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein is under renewed scrutiny. The Metropolitan Police is investigating Mandelson over alleged leaks to Epstein during his time as business secretary.
Before publishing the texts, which begin in August 2024, Streeting said he was "embarrassed" to know the lord and wanted to draw a line under their relationship. Mandelson was dismissed from his position as the UK's ambassador to the US last year amid the growing controversy.
The release of these private communications provides unprecedented insight into the political calculations and personal concerns of a senior government minister facing a challenging electoral landscape in East London.
