Wes Streeting has confirmed he will stand for the Labour leadership if a contest is triggered, calling for a 'proper contest' to ensure a battle of ideas. The former health secretary made the announcement at a Progress thinktank conference on Saturday, outlining a platform that includes a 'new special relationship' with the EU and eventual rejoining.
Streeting criticised Keir Starmer's leadership style as 'heavy-handed', claiming it stifled creative policy thinking. He said Labour arrived in government 'underprepared in too many areas and lacking clarity of vision and direction', and described the winter fuel cut as a 'catastrophe'.
He argued that since the Corbyn era, the party had not had a true debate about its direction, with 'interesting policy ideas couldn't be floated because we were too afraid of what the Tories might say'. He added that this culture had continued into government, with backbenchers scolded for private members' bills.
Streeting also addressed Brexit, calling it a 'catastrophic mistake' and suggesting rejoining the EU would help rebuild the economy and improve defence against Russian aggression and 'America First'. He warned against trying to 'out Reform Reform or out Green the Greens', and criticised the spread of misinformation online, saying the country had 'chosen to hand the pen to tech moguls in Silicon Valley'.
Commenting on recent far-right marches, Streeting claimed that in 2025 'ministers were sent out by No 10 with a media script to explain the march, rather than condemn it'. He also expressed support for Andy Burnham's candidacy in the Makerfield byelection, but insisted a leadership contest before Burnham could participate would 'lack legitimacy'.
