Health Secretary Wes Streeting has voluntarily published private messages exchanged with Lord Mandelson, in which he criticised the Labour government's lack of strategy under Sir Keir Starmer and expressed fears for his own political future. The messages, spanning from August 2024 to October 2025, were released as Streeting sought to distance himself from the scandal surrounding Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador.
In a March 2025 exchange, Streeting told Mandelson he was concerned about his re-election chances in Ilford North, where he holds a majority of just 528 votes. After a council by-election loss to a 'Gaza independent' candidate in neighbouring Ilford South, Streeting wrote: 'I fear we're in big trouble here – and I am toast at the next election.' He added: 'There isn't a clear answer to the question: why Labour?'
Mandelson replied that the government 'doesn't have an economic philosophy which is then followed through in a programme of policies', to which Streeting agreed, saying: 'No growth strategy at all.' In another exchange, after the departure of comms director Matthew Doyle, Streeting said 'god knows' why he was pushed out, and agreed with Mandelson that communications were not the source of the government's problems.
The messages also show Streeting seeking Mandelson's advice on recognising Palestine, describing Israel as 'committing war crimes before our eyes' and engaging in 'rogue state behaviour'. He said Labour should be 'leading the charge on this' and called for sanctions against Israel. Mandelson cautioned that recognition could 'blow a (two-state solution) out of the water'. The government eventually recognised Palestine in September 2025.
The Metropolitan Police warned ministers against releasing their own messages, saying it was 'vital due process is followed, so that our criminal investigation and any potential prosecution is not compromised'. Streeting, however, said he was 'happy to have been proved wrong' about the economy, citing growth and falling interest rates, and confirmed he would stand again in Ilford North.
