Health Secretary Wes Streeting, a prominent figure on Labour's soft-right, faces a significant challenge in winning over party members, according to a recent Compass survey. The poll found that only 11% of Labour members would choose Streeting to succeed Keir Starmer, compared to 42% for Andy Burnham. Streeting's favourability rating stands at 18%, far behind Burnham's 44%.
This puts Streeting on par with Angela Rayner and Ed Miliband, both of whom are firmly to his left. The survey suggests that the majority of Labour members prefer candidates from the left of the party. Streeting, a former ally of Peter Mandelson and associated with the Blairite Progress wing, is seen as ideologically out of step with the membership.
In recent months, Streeting has attempted to reposition himself further left, possibly to garner more support from members who will ultimately decide the leadership contest. However, experts warn that members may be wary of candidates who appear to shift their stance for electoral gain, recalling Keir Starmer's 2020 leadership pledges that many felt were later abandoned.
Labour's membership has declined significantly, dropping from over 532,000 at the end of 2019 to 333,235 by the end of 2024. Many grassroots members have left for the Greens or other parties, disillusioned with Starmer's leadership. Professor Tim Bale of Queen Mary University notes that remaining members are likely left-wing and socially liberal, but also pragmatic about winning elections.
Bale suggests that Streeting could still succeed if he convinces members he is the best candidate to lead Labour to victory. "If Streeting can show them he's the guy to do that, he still has a chance, even if he's not their ideological ideal," Bale said.
