Health Secretary Wes Streeting has reportedly informed allies that he is preparing to resign from the government and trigger a leadership contest as early as tomorrow. The move comes amid escalating internal strife within the Labour Party, with over 80 MPs publicly calling on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down following last week's electoral defeat.
Mr Streeting, long considered a potential challenger for the party leadership, held a 16-minute crisis meeting with Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday morning. The talks were intended to address serious concerns about the direction of the party, according to sources close to the Health Secretary.
Reports of Imminent Resignation
Shortly before the King's Speech began, reports emerged in The Times indicating that Mr Streeting had told allies he was ready to walk away from his cabinet role. One source quoted by the newspaper said: "He is going to go for it. He's going tomorrow."
A spokesman for Mr Streeting did not deny the claims that he was preparing to resign and trigger a leadership contest. Instead, the spokesman stated: "Wes is the Health Secretary, he is proud of his record of falling waiting lists and a recovering NHS. He is not planning to say anything following his meeting with the Prime Minister that might distract from the King's Speech."
Labour's Internal Turmoil
Labour's warring factions had been expected to observe a truce ahead of the King's Speech to avoid embarrassing the monarch with political infighting. However, tensions are likely to resurface once the ceremonial event concludes. The Health Secretary declined to comment to journalists as he left Downing Street after the meeting, which his camp had billed as an opportunity to raise concerns about the party's trajectory.
Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds downplayed the significance of the meeting, claiming the two men were simply "having a coffee." He added: "Anyone would think we were talking about the final scene at a Casino Royale or something, looking at some of the coverage that we've had." Mr Thomas-Symonds, a staunch ally of the Prime Minister, acknowledged that things had been "turbulent" but insisted the party was moving on, as MPs had not united behind a successor.
Union Backing for Leadership Change
In a significant blow to the Prime Minister's authority, Labour's union backers have called for a plan to replace Sir Keir before the next general election. The TULO group, which represents 11 affiliated unions including Unite, GMB, and Unison, stated that Labour "cannot continue on its current path." This development underscores the deepening divisions within the party and the mounting pressure on the leadership.
The situation remains fluid, with all eyes on Mr Streeting's next move. Should he resign, it would trigger a leadership contest that could reshape the future of the Labour Party.
