Wes Streeting, Britain’s former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, arrived at 10 Downing Street in London for a Cabinet meeting. He has called for a genuine competition to replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer, emphasizing the need for a proper leadership contest. In his resignation letter, Streeting expressed that he “lost confidence” in Starmer’s leadership, citing a lack of vision and clear direction. During a speech on Saturday, he announced his intention to run, stating, “I’ll be standing,” although he has not yet officially entered the race.
Widely recognized as one of Labour’s most effective communicators, Streeting is a lively 43-year-old who comes from a working-class background and leans towards the right of the center-left party. His visibility has increased this election cycle, especially as the head of the department responsible for the NHS in England, a vital yet strained institution. Rumors about his ambition to challenge Starmer have circulated for months, fueled by the ongoing political difficulties faced by the current leader. Some Labour colleagues remain skeptical about either the wisdom of a leadership contest or Streeting’s suitability for the role.
Critics describe Streeting as having “acute political sense” and strong communication skills, qualities praised by political analyst Steven Fielding from the University of Nottingham. Nevertheless, questions remain regarding how well his centrist, pro-market, and anti-Brexit views align with the current Labour Party climate, and how different he would be from Starmer.
Streeting often highlights his humble origins, being born to teenage parents and raised in a municipal housing complex in East London. He has shared stories like his maternal grandmother giving birth in a London prison and his grandfather’s past as an armed robber associated with notorious London gangsters, including the Kray Brothers. He states, “My family… are very, very far removed from the Westminster bubble.” After attending a state school and studying at Cambridge University, he entered politics via the progressive think tank Progress, founded in the 1990s by allies of Tony Blair.
Elected as an MP for an East London constituency in 2015, Streeting was a critic of Labour’s shift to the left under Jeremy Corbyn and only joined the shadow cabinet after Starmer replaced Corbyn. As health secretary, he managed to reduce hospital waiting times, but has had a contentious relationship with some sectors, including striking junior doctors. An ex-senior Labour adviser noted that he “had the opportunity to be a major public service reformer and hasn’t really done it.”
However, Professor Patrick Diamond from Queen Mary University of London believes Streeting “offers much of what Labour currently lacks” and appreciates his authentic working-class background and ability to connect with voters. Despite this, his approval ratings remain modest—according to a YouGov tracker, he is disliked by 30% of respondents and favored by only 12%, ranking him 52nd among British politicians.
Openly gay and an Anglican, Streeting has spoken about his faith making it difficult to accept his sexuality. Known for his extroverted personality, he gained attention for singing Robbie Williams’ “Angels” at a Labour conference, jokingly adding “I’m loving Starmer instead.” Last September, he dismissed the idea of challenging Starmer as “disrespectful.” Some see his eagerness for power as a possible flaw, with critics suggesting that his persistent ambition may prove his undoing.
In 2023, he authored a memoir titled “One Boy, Two Bills and a Fry Up,” which has been described as oddly dull yet unexpectedly captivating. Critics note that publishing it before turning 40 can be seen as a sign of his ambition. Streeting’s longstanding connections with Labour heavyweight Peter Mandelson have also drawn criticism, especially given Mandelson’s controversial history, including his departure from his role as US ambassador over links to Jeffrey Epstein. Streeting denies close friendship with Mandelson.
