Streeting Enters Race to Lead Labour Party
Wes Streeting says he will run to lead the Labour Party. He resigned as health secretary on 14 May 2026.
Saturday's Progress think tank event was his first public appearance since then. He called for a proper contest to choose a new Labour leader.
He also called Brexit a catastrophic mistake. Streeting said the UK should one day rejoin the European Union.
He outlined a vision for a new special relationship with the EU as a first step. Over 90 Labour MPs have publicly called on Keir Starmer to quit.
A leadership contest is widely seen as likely. Andy Burnham has been cleared to stand in the Makerfield by-election.
If Burnham wins he is expected to challenge Starmer directly. That would trigger a full leadership contest.
Klear Note — Labour Party leader Keir Starmer faces pressure to resign. A leadership contest would let party members vote for a new leader. The health secretary role is a top government position.
Key Terms 5
- Labour Party The UK's main centre-left political party currently in government
- Leadership contest A vote among party members to choose a new party leader
- Brexit The UK's departure from the European Union in 2020
- NEC Labour's National Executive Committee; the party's governing body
- By-election A vote held to fill a single empty seat in Parliament