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Wes Streeting has quit as UK Health secretary, paving the way for a leadership challenge and plunging Keir Starmer’s premiership into crisis. In his resignation letter, Streeting criticised the ‘drift’ at the top of government and told the prime minister it is ‘clear’ he will not lead Labour into the next election. Streeting stopped short of announcing a bid for the top job, calling for the ‘best possible field of candidates’ to run to replace him in Downing Street, suggesting he could be in favour of including Andy Burnham. Streeting’s letter read: ‘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.’ Streeting’s resignation follows days of turmoil in which calls have mounted for the prime minister to step down in the wake of Labour’s election mauling last week. He blamed the ‘unprecedented’ results in part on ‘the unpopularity of this government’, adding: ‘There are many reasons we could point to: from individual mistakes on policy like the decision to cut the winter fuel allowance to the ’island of strangers’ speech, all of which have left the country not knowing who we are or what we really stand for.’ Streeting praised Starmer’s ‘many great strengths’ and ‘courage and statesmanship on the world stage’, but continued: ‘Where we need vision, we have a vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift. ‘This was underscored by your speech on Monday. Leaders take responsibility, but too often that has meant other people falling on their swords. ‘You also need to listen to your colleagues, including backbenchers, and the heavy-handed approach to dissenting voices diminishes our politics.’ Streeting said improvements in NHS waiting times could be one reason to ‘remain in post, but 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’. It was unclear whether Streeting had the 81 Labour MPs needed to announce a leadership challenge against the prime minister, with earlier briefings from rival factions that he did not. The move could force a leadership contest in which Angela Rayner has also indicated she could run, with other possible contenders including Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, armed forces minister Al Carns and Burnham. The Greater Manchester Mayor would first need to find a seat and win a by-election, meaning his inclusion in a leadership race could stretch the timetable by months. By Sophie Wingate, Press Association Deputy Political Editor Press Association: News source: PA Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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