Wes Streeting Resigns as Health Secretary, Blames Prime Minister's 'Drift' and Lack of Vision

Wes Streeting has resigned as Health Secretary, stating he has lost confidence in Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's leadership, intensifying the political crisis within the Labour government.

In his resignation letter, Streeting asserted that Sir Keir would not lead Labour into the next general election. He criticised the government's perceived "drift" and absence of "vision", indicating that Labour Members of Parliament and unions would seek a "debate about what comes next". He did not, however, formally launch a leadership challenge.

Streeting met the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street for under 20 minutes on Wednesday morning, following calls from numerous Labour MPs for Sir Keir to step down. Despite highlighting his record as Health Secretary, including reduced NHS waiting times, Streeting stated, "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."

He attributed Labour's poor performance in last week's elections to the "unpopularity of this government", arguing that Labour required a vision but currently faced a "vacuum". Streeting added, "Leaders take responsibility, but too often that has meant other people falling on their swords." He concluded that the country's significant challenges necessitate "a bold vision and bigger solutions than we are offering".

Alan Gemmell, an MP backing Streeting, maintained that the former Health Secretary had the support of over 81 MPs, the threshold required to trigger a leadership contest. However, Gemmell stated Streeting had "taken a principled decision today not to trigger a contest," opting instead to compel the Prime Minister to outline a timetable for his departure.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson voiced her full support for Sir Keir, stating he "has the cabinet behind him". Phillipson acknowledged Streeting's "fantastic job" as Health Secretary but expressed fundamental disagreement with his resignation. Similarly, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who recently resolved her tax affairs with HMRC, also indicated she would not "trigger" a leadership contest, though she did not rule out running if one were initiated.

Four ministers had already resigned earlier in the week, and dozens of Labour MPs have urged Sir Keir to step down following substantial losses in elections across England, Scotland, and Wales. Sir Keir reportedly told colleagues on Wednesday evening, "We cannot let a leadership contest plunge us into chaos - a challenge would 100% do that."

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch commented on Labour's internal strife, asserting, "While they're sharpening their knives and plotting in the bars of Westminster, nobody is running the country."