Wes Streeting has warned that the Labour Government is losing the battle against nationalism and, unless it changes direction, "we risk handing the keys of No 10 to Reform." He delivered his resignation speech in the Commons on Wednesday after stepping down as health secretary last week and calling on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to resign.
Streeting's Warning on Nationalism
Mr Streeting said: "I left the Government because we are in the fight of our lives against nationalism, and it is a fight that we are currently losing. Unless we change course, we risk handing the keys of No 10 to Reform, and I do not want that on our consciences." He highlighted that for the first time in history, nationalists are in power in every part of the United Kingdom. "Scottish and Welsh nationalism represents an existential threat to the future integrity of the United Kingdom. And Reform UK represent a threat to the values and ideals that have made this country great."
Concerns for Young People
He also told MPs he does not believe Labour has "time to waste in Government treading water" and said it needed to "fight" for young people, who "for the first time in our modern history, face worse prospects than the last." The UK has failed to protect young people from the "AI jobs apocalypse," Mr Streeting said, warning that "unless mainstream democratic politics can answer these questions, others will exploit that vacuum."
Pressure on Starmer
Mr Streeting's criticism adds pressure on Sir Keir's premiership, which may be challenged by Andy Burnham if he succeeds in his bid to return to Westminster. The former health secretary referenced the challenge the Greater Manchester mayor, confirmed as Labour's candidate for the upcoming Makerfield by-election, faces in the contest. He framed the battle as being between "progressives against reactionaries, of patriots versus nationalists, of hope over hate." "It's Andy Burnham's fight in Makerfield, and it is Labour's fight for the soul of our country."
Resignation and Leadership Ambitions
Mr Streeting said his resignation had been an "emotional wrench," but concluded his speech citing late bowel cancer campaigner Dame Deborah James in saying that it was "with no regrets and with rebellious hope that I have left the Government." "The Labour Party was elected to deliver real change. We still can." Mr Streeting has made clear he intends to stand in any leadership contest.
Political Fallout
Dire local election results, calls from Labour MPs for him to go, and a slew of resignations from the junior Government ranks last week threw Sir Keir's political future into doubt. But the Prime Minister has insisted he will not "walk away" from Downing Street. No 10 declined to say whether Sir Keir, who has said he supports Mr Burnham "100%" in the by-election, would personally be knocking on doors in the Greater Manchester constituency. Asked whether the Prime Minister's backing of the mayor meant he supported his policy positions, Sir Keir's political spokesman said: "Andy Burnham may speak as himself in that by-election as the candidate, obviously the Prime Minister speaks for the Government."
Polling and Appointments
If Mr Burnham were the leader of Labour, the party could reverse its polling woes and beat Nigel Farage's Reform UK in a general election, according to a More in Common survey. After Mr Streeting's last remaining parliamentary aide quit on Tuesday, the Government on Wednesday announced the appointment of new parliamentary private secretaries to replace them. Laura Kyrke-Smith and Oliver Ryan have been appointed to the Health Department; Chris Vince to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government; Joanna Baxter to the Foreign Office; Lauren Sullivan to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology; Lloyd Hatton to the Energy Department; and Elaine Stewart to the Department for Work and Pensions.
