Wes Streeting Signals Possible Leadership Challenge to Keir Starmer
Former health secretary Wes Streeting has indicated he could initiate a Labour leadership contest as early as next week, urging Keir Starmer to step down to resolve what he described as “uncertainty and paralysis” within the party.
Streeting stated he would allow the prime minister at least the weekend to consider his position before taking further action.
Context of the Challenge and Greater Manchester By-election
Streeting’s announcement coincides with the upcoming by-election in Makerfield scheduled for Thursday. Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, is contesting the seat and aims to leverage a victory as a platform for a return to Parliament ahead of a potential leadership bid. Polling data suggests Burnham is currently leading Reform UK in the Greater Manchester constituency.
Burnham has expressed his intention to replace Starmer as prime minister at the earliest opportunity. However, his supporters remain skeptical about Streeting’s assertiveness regarding a leadership contest, questioning whether Streeting has secured the backing of the 81 Labour MPs required to trigger such a contest.
Streeting’s Position on Triggering a Leadership Contest
During an interview on BBC Two’s Newsnight on Wednesday evening, Streeting was asked if he would initiate a leadership contest should Burnham win the by-election. He responded:
“I think the prime minister should be given some space and time to reflect over the weekend and I think we should see where we are then.
“I would prefer the prime minister to take a decision on his own terms rather than leave it for me or Andy or anyone else to trigger a contest. If not, we can’t carry on with this uncertainty and paralysis and there will need to be a contest and I would be prepared to do that.”
Earlier on Tuesday in London, Streeting had refrained from issuing a direct warning about triggering a contest while delivering a speech advocating a “progressive capitalist” approach.
He affirmed that he had the support of 81 Labour MPs and cautioned potential rivals that Labour members would detect “inauthenticity” in those who attempt to shift positions inconsistently, stating:
“Labour members would be able to ‘smell inauthenticity’ where ‘people are trying to tack left, adopt one position one day and another position another day’.”
Starmer’s Position and Party Reactions
Keir Starmer, currently attending the G7 summit in France, would automatically be a candidate in any Labour leadership contest.
Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Cabinet Office minister, declined to speculate on whether a leadership challenge would commence next week. When asked by if he expected Streeting to launch a challenge, Thomas-Symonds replied:
“I’m not Nostradamus.”
He further highlighted recent government achievements, stating:
“All I would say is, if you look at this week, on Monday the government announced a social media ban for under-16s. At the G7, the prime minister has just secured £1.3bn of investment into the UK, creating over 1,400 jobs.”
