Wes Streeting has resigned as health secretary and called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down, stating that remaining in post would have been “dishonourable”. The former health secretary, a prominent figure on the Labour right, said he wants a leadership contest with a broad range of candidates, potentially including Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
Streeting has been gathering support for a challenge for some time and spent the week asking MPs to nominate him. However, he is not launching an immediate challenge, suggesting he lacks the backing of 81 MPs required to force a contest. A challenge would likely prompt bids from other candidates, including former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
In his resignation letter, Streeting criticised Starmer’s “heavy-handed approach to dissenting voices”, saying it “diminishes our politics”. He argued that the local elections showed Starmer’s leadership was driving voters away from Labour, citing policy mistakes such as cutting the winter fuel allowance and a lack of clear vision.
Several close allies of Streeting, including Jess Phillips, Zubir Ahmed and Alex Davies-Jones, resigned on Tuesday calling for Starmer to go. Other backbenchers have also urged the prime minister to resign. Starmer has indicated he will fight any challenge, and his allies believe Streeting does not have sufficient support to force a contest.
If Starmer does not resign, he would automatically appear on the ballot in any leadership race. Streeting’s departure comes as Starmer faces record-low popularity ratings, just two years after winning a historic majority. The situation marks the first time a challenger has attempted to dislodge a sitting Labour prime minister.
