It’s been up in the air all week, but at one o’clock this afternoon, Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned.
This comes after tremendous losses for Labour in last weeks’ local election. This was followed a 17 minute meeting with the Prime Minister yesterday. It has been revealed in his statement that during that meeting, he admitted he has lost confidence in Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.
In his statement, the now former health secretary compliments the Prime Minister, saying: You have many great strengths that I admire. You led our party to a victory few thought possible in 2024 and I was proud to fight alongside you in the trenches of that campaign. You have shown courage and statesmanship on the world stage – not least in keeping Britain out of the war in Iran.”
However, he also critised some of Starmer’s decisions, such as the cutting the Winter Fuel Allowance and his “island of strangers” speech made back in 2025.
He believes that “where we need vision, we have a vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift.” In his letter of resignation, he appeals to the Prime Minister to “listen to your colleagues, including backbenchers, and the heavy-handed approach to dissenting voices diminishes our politics.”
Wes Streeting is one of the current favourites to replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader, and subsequently, Prime Minister. Criticising Starmer’s leadership seems like a tactic in hopes other MPs will also resign.
But currently, it doesn’t feel like anyone other cabinet minister is planning to quit too. His closest Parliamentary allies are not resigning. Peter Kyle and Pat McFadden are backing the Prime Minister.
Supporters of Wes Streeting say that he has 81 supporters, the amount needed to challenge for the head of the Labour party.
It has been a very interesting week in politics, and there is surely more to follow.
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