Wes Streeting resigns as health secretary

"“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.” Blaming the “unpopularity of this government” for Labour’s dire results in last week’s elections, Streeting said Labour needed a vision but instead “we have a vacuum”."

"“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,” Streeting said. “It needs to be broad, and it needs the be”"

"“Leaders take responsibility, but too often that has meant other people falling on their swords,” Streeting said. He said the country faced big challenges “that require a bold vision and bigger solutions than we are offering”."

"“Having lost confidence in your leadership, I have concluded that it would be dishonourable and unprincipled to do so.” Highlighting his record as health secretary, including a reduction in NHS waiting times, Streeting said there were “good reasons for me to remain in post”."

Wes Streeting resigned as health secretary, stating he had lost confidence in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership. In his resignation letter, Streeting said Starmer would not lead Labour into the next general election. He criticized the government’s “drift” and lack of “vision,” arguing that Labour needed a bold vision and bigger solutions. Streeting said Labour MPs and unions wanted a debate about what comes next, framed as a battle of ideas rather than personalities or factionalism. He referenced his record in the role, including reductions in NHS waiting times, and said there were good reasons to remain. He added that it would be dishonourable to continue after losing confidence. The resignation followed intense speculation about a possible leadership challenge and pressure from Labour MPs.

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