Trouble mounts for UK PM Starmer as Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigns, setting up a potential leadership challenge

As pressure mounts on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign following a growing revolt within the Labour Party, Health Secretary Wes Streeting became the first senior minister to quit on Thursday in what was seen as a precursor to challenging Starmer's leadership.

Quoting Streeting, AP reported that he had lost confidence in Starmer, who should not serve out the rest of his term. In his resignation letter, the former Health Secretary wrote, "You have shown courage and statesmanship on the world stage — not least in keeping Britain out of the war in Iran," and added, "But where we need vision, we have a vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift.”

However, Streeting avoided saying he was the best candidate to lead the party at the next election due by 2029, suggesting Starmer should step aside to allow a “broad” field of candidates to debate the future of the party.

Starmer made no reference to the former Health Secretary's criticisms and laid out his hope that the two could work together to prove that the Labour Party in power can address the issues that their opponents exploit, can instill hope where they want despair, and can bring "people together where they want division.”

For days, Streeting was expected to launch a bid on Thursday. However, the wording of his statement has now raised speculation that he doesn't have enough votes yet to challenge Starmer, or that he is giving the incumbent PM a chance to announce his resignation on his own terms.

Apart from Streeting, another likely challenger is former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who said that she has arrived at an agreement with authorities to clear up questions regarding her taxes that forced her to leave the Cabinet last September. Speaking to The Guardian, Rayner said that Starmer should “reflect on” his position, adding that she was ready to “play my part” in any leadership election if Streeting triggered a contest.

A third rival, Andy Burnham, is ineligible for the leadership because he doesn't have a seat in Parliament, but on Thursday afternoon, a Labour lawmaker said he would step aside to make room, and Burnham said he would seek permission from the party to enter a special election. He could then mount a leadership challenge if elected.

Further, a stagnant economy and stubbornly high inflation have made it difficult for Starmer’s government to deliver on the promises it made when winning a landslide election victory less than two years ago.

While the UK PM has so far rejected calls to resign, it remains to be seen whether any more of his cabinet ministers will resign in the coming weeks, forcing him to step aside.

(with AP inputs)