Wes Streeting quits as UK health secretary, clearing way for challenge
London: A senior British cabinet minister has left the government to pave the way for a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer after months of internal opposition and a devastating loss for the party in last Thursday’s election.
Health Minister Wes Streeting officially resigned from the government in a letter published on social media at around 1pm in London (approximately 10pm AEST) on Thursday, ending days of speculation.
But he did not announce his intention to challenge Starmer, focusing his statement on his concerns about the direction of the government; This has cast doubt on the timing of next steps to decide who will govern the country.
“Last week’s election results were unprecedented, both in terms of the scale of defeat and the consequences of that failure,” he wrote in a letter to Starmer.
“You have many strengths that I admire. You led our party to a victory in 2024 that few thought possible, and I was proud to fight alongside you in the trenches of this campaign. You have shown courage and statesmanship on the world stage – most notably by keeping Britain out of the war in Iran.
“But where we need vision there is emptiness. Where we need direction we are adrift. This was emphasized in your speech on Monday. Leaders take responsibility, but often that means other people fall on their swords. You also need to listen to your colleagues, including those working in the background, and a tough approach to dissenting voices undermines our policy.”
Streeting touched on Starmer’s defense of his record in a major speech following the election results on Monday, but highlighted the challenges facing the country and concluded Starmer was not up to the task.
“These are big challenges that require a bold vision and bigger solutions than we offer,” he wrote.
“It is clear that you will no longer be leading Labor into the next general election and that Labor MPs and Trade Unions want the debate about what happens next to be a battle of ideas, not personalities or petty factionalism.
“It needs to be large, and it needs to have the best field of candidates possible. I support this approach and hope you will facilitate it.”
“Serving as your Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has been the great joy of my life, and despite our differences this week, I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve and deeply saddened to leave government in this way.”
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David Crowe is the European correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect with: X or email.
