Wes Streeting has confirmed that he will stand for the Labour leadership if a contest is triggered, and called for a “proper contest” to decide the party’s future direction. Speaking at a Progress thinktank conference, the former health secretary outlined a platform that includes pursuing a “new special relationship” with the European Union and eventually rejoining the trade bloc.
Streeting criticised Keir Starmer’s “heavy-handed” leadership culture, which he said had stifled policy debate. He described Labour as “underprepared” in government and lacking “clarity of vision and direction”, citing the winter fuel cut as a “catastrophe”. He argued that the party had not had a genuine debate since the Corbyn era, blaming the antisemitism crisis and an overcautious approach in opposition.
The MP for Ilford North said Britain should rejoin the EU, calling Brexit a “catastrophic mistake” and suggesting closer ties would boost trade and defence. He also warned against trying to “out Reform Reform or out Green the Greens”, and criticised misinformation online, saying the country had handed power to “tech moguls in Silicon Valley”.
Streeting’s remarks come after Andy Burnham was cleared to stand in the Makerfield by-election. Streeting said he would campaign for Burnham and that a leadership contest before Burnham could participate would “lack legitimacy”. He called for a “battle of ideas” rather than personalities.
