Streeting quits UK government, paving way to challenge Starmer

Wes Streeting has resigned as UK Health Secretary, demanding a leadership contest in a move that has thrown Keir Starmer’s premiership into fresh turmoil.

In a blunt rebuke, Mr Streeting accused the Government’s leadership of losing its way and told the British Prime Minister it is now “clear” he will not take Labour into the next general election.

Though he stopped short of declaring his own candidacy, Mr Streeting urged Mr Starmer to open the race to the “best possible field of candidates” to succeed him in Downing Street, signalling he could support the inclusion of Andy Burnham.

The exit of one of the Cabinet’s biggest figures comes after days of unrest, with pressure intensifying on the prime minister to quit following Labour’s bruising election defeat last week.

‘Where the country needs vision, it is met with a vacuum. Where it needs direction, it finds drift’

Mr Streeting acknowledged Mr Starmer’s “many great strengths” and his “courage and statesmanship on the world stage”, but went on: “Where the country needs vision, it is met with a vacuum. Where it needs direction, it finds drift.

“That was laid bare again in your speech on Monday. Leaders are meant to take responsibility, but too often that has resulted in others being left to fall on their swords.

“You must also hear your colleagues, including backbenchers, and this heavy-handed treatment of dissenting voices weakens our politics.”

Mr Streeting said progress on NHS waiting times might have offered a reason to “remain in post”, but added that, “as you know from our conversation earlier this week, having lost confidence in your leadership, I have concluded that it would be dishonourable and unprincipled to do so”.

Addressing the prospect of a transition, Mr Streeting wrote: “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 to be the best possible field of candidates. I support that approach and I hope you will facilitate it.”

Wes Streeting has yet to announce a formal challenge against Keir Starmer

It remained uncertain whether Mr Streeting could secure the backing of the 81 Labour MPs required to mount a formal challenge to the prime minister, with earlier briefings from rival camps suggesting he could not.

One Labour backbencher told the Press Association that Mr Streeting’s letter “reads like he has no numbers” to launch a leadership bid himself, adding: “He’s screwed himself good and proper.”

Skills minister Jacqui Smith told the BBC she was “very sorry” Mr Streeting had stepped down, but insisted that “we don’t need a period of internal discussion and leadership contest”.

Mr Streeting’s resignation could accelerate a leadership battle in which former deputy leader Angela Rayner has also signalled she may stand, alongside other possible contenders including Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, armed forces minister Al Carns and Mr Burnham.

Raynor cleared of wrongdoing over tax affairs

Angela Rayner was previously Keir Starmer’s deputy

Mr Streeting’s decision could help trigger a leadership race in which Ms Rayner has also suggested she could enter, with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, armed forces minister Al Carns and Mr Burnham also seen as potential contenders.

So far, around 87 MPs have publicly called for Mr Starmer to resign, but they have yet to unite behind a single successor.

Former deputy prime minister Ms Rayner said this morning she had been cleared by HMRC of deliberate wrongdoing over her tax affairs, removing a potential obstacle to a bid for the top job.

Greater Manchester Mayor Mr Burnham would first need to secure a seat and win a bye-election, a hurdle that could extend any leadership timetable by several months.

However, a growing number of MPs have said they have no intention of vacating their seats to make that possible.

Manchester MPs Afzal Khan and Jeff Smith had been the subject of Westminster speculation that they might step aside for Mr Burnham. Both men, however, explicitly denied they were preparing to stand down.

Our Deputy Foreign Editor Edmund Heaphy reports from London

Former minister Catherine West, who over the weekend urged senior figures around the Labour leader to challenge him, said today that he could still prevail in a contest.

“If Keir Starmer decides he has got the bottle and he can come and fight – fight as if he is fighting for the working people of this country – then he could beat the others, because he is a very bright man,” she told the BBC.

If he refuses to step down, Mr Strarmer would automatically appear on the ballot in any contest, and Downing Street has continued to maintain that he would fight any attempt to remove him.

Mr Streeting’s resignation is the first from the Cabinet, following the departure on Tuesday of junior ministers Jess Phillips, Zubir Ahmed, Alex Davies-Jones and Miatta Fahnbulleh.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has cast doubt on whether any of Mr Starmer’s opponents can gather the support required to force a contest.

Read more:Possible contenders if UK PM Starmer quits

Additional reporting Reuters