Wes Streeting has resigned from Keir Starmer's cabinet, delivering a significant blow to the Prime Minister amid growing calls for his resignation. The move follows a 16-minute crisis meeting with Starmer, after which Streeting accused the PM of offering a 'vacuum, not a vision' in his resignation letter.
Streeting, 43, wrote: '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.' His resignation comes after 80 MPs publicly called on Starmer to step down following poor local election results.
Streeting's rise to prominence is notable given his humble beginnings. Born into a family plagued by poverty and crime, his teenage mother ate a fry-up to avoid an abortion. His grandparents were armed robbers; his grandmother gave birth to his mother in prison while sharing a cell with Christine Keeler of the Profumo scandal.
Growing up in an East End council flat, Streeting felt the 'humiliation of poverty' when unable to bring treats for classmates. He credits his working-class background for his drive, saying: 'I'm just not going to let posh people get ahead of me.' His grandfather, acquainted with the Kray twins, engaged him in politics from a young age.
Streeting's resignation is seen as a major challenge to Starmer's leadership, with many now turning their attention to the MP as a potential successor.
