Wes Streeting Prepared to Initiate Labour Leadership Contest
Wes Streeting has indicated he would "be prepared" to trigger a Labour leadership contest to replace Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister as early as next week.
The former health secretary told night that the "uncertainty and paralysis" within the Labour leadership must be resolved if the party wins Thursday's Makerfield by-election.
Both Streeting and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham have confirmed they would stand in any contest to replace the prime minister, though they had previously refrained from stating whether they would initiate such a contest.
Speaking to reporters at the G7 summit in France, Sir Keir reiterated his intention "not to walk away" but to "carry on with what I was elected to do".
Burnham is standing to return to Parliament in the upcoming Makerfield by-election. If successful and becoming an MP, he will be able to initiate or join a leadership race—something he is currently unable to do.
Streeting's Position on Triggering a Contest
When asked by night's Victoria Derbyshire if he would trigger a contest if Burnham wins, Streeting stated:
"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 PM 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."
Streeting earlier told the BBC he had the backing of the 81 Labour MPs required to launch a leadership challenge.
Views on Leadership Contest and Party Direction
At an event earlier on Tuesday, the former health secretary emphasised that any Labour leadership contest must not become a competition to offer "the most expensive and popular pledges to the party faithful at the expense of the British people".
He addressed an audience in central London, stating he would not use a leadership campaign to make costly promises that he would later have to reverse.
Streeting resigned from government last month, accusing the prime minister of "drift" and a lack of vision.
In an hour-long speech, he outlined his own vision for the economy, positioning himself as a financially responsible candidate who would encourage growth and reduce taxes.
Polls have suggested that Burnham is more popular among Labour Party members, and Streeting himself acknowledged he would be the "underdog" in a contest.
Nevertheless, the former health secretary appeared eager to define the battleground and initiate a "battle of ideas" regarding the party's future direction.
In an apparent critique of his leadership rival, Streeting cautioned against treating the bond markets, where the government borrows money, as "Bond villains," adding:
"We must reject the reckless approach that says 'stuff the bond markets'."
Last year, Burnham told the New Statesman magazine:
"We've got to get beyond this thing of being in hock to the bond markets."
Fiscal Discipline and Regional Perspectives
Earlier this year, in an effort to reassure international investors, Burnham promised to adhere to the government's existing rules on borrowing.
In his speech, Streeting also challenged Burnham's assertion that the north of England had suffered from 40 years of "neoliberalism."
"It's more complicated than that,"
he said, adding:
"We've been through several waves of change that have delivered genuine strengths, but also deep weaknesses."
Streeting's strong emphasis on fiscal discipline—citing former chancellors Gordon Brown and Nigel Lawson—led some attendees to speculate whether he was subtly positioning himself for the chancellorship if he were runner-up in a leadership race.
However, he insisted he could win the top job by convincing Labour members that he could secure a general election victory and unite the centre with the left.
If he became prime minister, he stated he would rule out an early election and govern for the remainder of the parliamentary term.
Policy Positions and Parliamentary Commitments
Additionally, the Ilford North MP said he wanted to see tax on employment reduced when "the public finances allow" and reiterated his call for capital gains tax to be equalised with income tax rates.
When asked if he would consider removing the triple lock on pensions to fund defence, Streeting responded that the measure, which guarantees certain rises in the state pension, was "here to stay for the entirety of this Parliament."
In a pointed remark towards another Labour colleague, Streeting suggested Energy Secretary Ed Miliband should approve North Sea oil and gas drilling projects in Rosebank and Jackdaw.
"There is a pragmatic case for producing our own gas rather than importing from abroad,"
he said.
While in opposition, Miliband had described a licence issued to Rosebank as "climate vandalism."
Additional Information
A full list of the candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election can be found here.
