Health Secretary Wes Streeting has never concealed his ambition to reach the pinnacle of British politics. By age 40, he had survived a cancer scare, published a memoir about his impoverished childhood in London's East End, and was being touted as a future prime minister.
A Champion of the Centre-Right
Streeting is regarded as a champion of Labour's centre-right, openly patriotic and tough on law and order. He has drawn comparisons to Tony Blair, though he rejects the 'Blairite' label as divisive. His rapid ascent from a council flat in Stepney to Cabinet minister, via the presidency of Cambridge Students' Union, has earned both admiration and criticism.
Rise Through the Ranks
Promoted by Sir Keir Starmer as a rising star, Streeting angered the Prime Minister's allies with what they saw as barely disguised plotting as Labour's fortunes declined. As Health Secretary, he has pushed to expand private sector involvement in the NHS and clashed with resident doctors over strikes for an inflation-busting pay claim.
Personal Background
A committed Christian, Streeting struggled with his sexuality before coming out as gay in his second year at university. If he becomes leader, he would be Britain's first openly gay prime minister. He is one of eight siblings; his mother was 18 and unmarried when she became pregnant. Both her boyfriend and her mother wanted an abortion, but she refused.
His childhood was difficult, marked by poverty. They often used candles because his mother couldn't afford electricity, and cockroaches from neighbouring flats were a problem. His maternal grandfather was an armed robber who knew the Krays, and his grandmother once shared a prison cell with Christine Keeler of the Profumo affair.
Education and Early Career
Despite financial struggles, his mother ensured he had books. He later lived with his father, who pushed him to excel at school. A teacher spotted his potential and suggested he apply to Westminster City School, a high-performing state academy, from where he won a place to study history at Cambridge.
At university, he became president of Cambridge Students' Union and later president of the National Union of Students. After working for the Blairite pressure group Progress, he won a seat on Redbridge Council in 2010 and was part of Oona King's unsuccessful bid for London mayor.
Parliamentary Career
In the 2015 general election, he unexpectedly won Ilford North from the Tories with a majority of just 589. At Westminster, he quickly caught the eye of Chancellor George Osborne, who praised him. Under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership, Streeting was a vocal critic, especially over antisemitism.
After Sir Keir replaced Corbyn, Streeting rose rapidly: shadow Treasury minister, then shadow secretary for child poverty in 2021. His progress paused when he was diagnosed with kidney cancer, but he returned after a successful operation within four months.
Tensions with Starmer
When Sir Keir faced calls to resign over alleged Covid rule breaches, Streeting defended him, warning potential rivals against disloyalty. He was promoted to shadow health secretary, marking him as a potential future leader. However, as Labour's poll ratings fell after the 2024 election, relations soured, with Starmer's allies suspecting Streeting of plotting a coup. Streeting demanded an end to 'self-defeating' briefings against him.
Setbacks and Controversies
His ambitions suffered a blow when details emerged of Lord Mandelson's relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Initially defending Mandelson, Streeting later distanced himself, saying Mandelson had betrayed his country. Whether such associations will damage him among party members keen to move on from its Blairite past remains to be seen.
